Small ways to feel close to a lost parent

[MrsTopaz]

My dad passed in March, and I’m trying hard to find ways to integrate his memory into my day to day life… the man he was before he was Ill and couldn’t remember himself or us.
I wear the plastic card holder from his work lanyard to hold my ID on my lanyard, something that was once close to his chest on a daily basis is now close to mine.
ive changed my car reg to include his initials, so whenever I drive somewhere it’s like he’s coming with me.
I wondered if anyone had any other ideas of things that helped you to feel close. Doesn’t need to be big, just everyday things. Much love to anyone who finds themselves here.

Sorry posted to soon.. also photo on your dressing table if you have one as you probably spend time there twice a day .

I keep a pot of astral cream in my bedside drawer, it instantly transports me to my mum's dressing table.

I know you only asked about parents, but my brother has also gone. I would usually message him rather than calling, so I've set up a fake free email address for him (basically dearbronickname@gmail) and I send him stuff all the time. Just thoughts, pics, political stuff that we used to talk about.

We lost my dad when I was just a child. I have a picture in the hallway of me, my sister and him. It's lovely, he's crouched down in gran's garden and has his arms round us both protectively. His arms are so big and we are so small. I loved my dad, even though he wasn't ours for long enough, he gave us a wonderful sense of strength, love and security we had absolute faith in and as kids we never imagined one day it wouldn't be there. Mum didn't keep much, partly perhaps it hurt too much (they were very different, but soul mates), but I do have some small purple shirt buttons that were his in my button box. Whenever I am doing a bit of mending I come across them and smile.

We also have a particular song that makes us think of him. Certain music, and smells like old spice or imperial leather. I always think of him when I am polishing shoes, as that was one of his jobs, doing all the shoes.

I had my forward helix pierced. When I want to feel close, I twiddle it. When Pa goes, I'm getting another piercing adjacent, so they'll be side by side.

I do the Wordle every day and I always start off with the word SMILE.
When I think of my mum I always remember her beautiful smile. Many people commented at her funeral that they remembered that about her.

I'm using one of my mums crochet hooks to make part of a blanket for my expected grandchild. I like knowing great grandma has a part in it somehow

That's nice @Houseplanter .My grandma crocheted blankets for both my children when they were born. She also taught me to crochet. I somehow lost DS2's blanket from his pram and was v upset when I realised. A few days later when out with him a woman called to me from a house and she'd found the blanket on the pavement and guessed it was mine. Not sure how as I didn't know her. I was so happy.

Many years on I've still got both blankets and they're very precious because of all those connections.
Wishing you lots of fun times with your new grandchild.

I wear my Mam's nicer watch but I wear it nearly every day. It makes me smile.

Ahh @Lifeinlists that's a lovely story, how kind of the lady.

I'm sure it'll only be me that likes the fact my mums hook was used. I might not even mention it, but I'll know.

So sorry for your loss

I also lost my dad in March.

I wear his coats and sometimes spray his cologne.

My biggest help was a tattoo on my arm in his handwriting. I find it enormously comforting.