This past January, I lost my dad—a man who has always been there for me my entire life. He was the type of guy that would do anything for anyone, including giving a stranger the shirt off his back.

Going through the heartbreak of losing my dad, it was no surprise to me that I found comfort in creating. Sewing has always been more than a craft for me—it’s a way to express love, preserve memories, and find healing during difficult times.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve made is the John Wayne memory bear I recently finished. I sewed it using leftover fabric from a quilt I had made for my dad a few years ago. He was a huge John Wayne fan, and I still remember how surprised he was when I gave him that quilt for his 78th birthday. He said to everyone he knew, “look at the John Wayne quilt my daughter made for me.” My dad talked about that quilt for months. It meant so much to him—and now, this John Wayne bear means so much to me.

Every stitch in this memory bear carries a piece of my heart. As I was creating it, I thought about some of the wonderful memories I have of my dad. Childhood memories of movies watched, board games played, lots of rummy card games, phone calls, and the many conversations shared over cups of coffee together. The fabric may be the same as his quilt, but the purpose of the fabric has changed—this bear is not just a keepsake, it’s a reminder of all the memories shared with my dad and how much I love him.

Grief feels unbearable at times, but creating something tangible acts as a little reminder to hold on to the good memories. I’m sharing this post in case it helps someone else going through a similar loss. Memory bears, or any handmade tribute, are powerful ways to keep a loved one’s presence close.

If you’ve ever considered making a memory bear, I encourage you to do it. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be meaningful to you.

To my dad: thank you for everything. This bear will always remind me that you’re still with us, in spirit and in stitches. See you later dad.

“It’s never goodbye, it’s see you later.” -Dad