I make loss of loved ones more bear-able
Marie Curie nurse Julia Laidlaw creates bespoke soft toys for the bereaved
Caring for people and helping them through the toughest times in their lives must surely be in the DNA of Julia Laidlaw.
Like many, the mum-of-three set herself the challenge in early 2020 of taking up a new pastime in which she could channel her energy during lockdown.
In doing so, Marie Curie nurse Julia, who has looked after terminally ill people in their homes for eight years, wanted a hobby that would be meaningful and would make a lasting impact.
Her lack of sewing experience didn’t stop her from threading a needle and teaching herself seamstress skills.
But Julia’s fabric creations were anything but ordinary. Inspired by her work with charity Marie Curie, and by the spirit of the people she nurses and their families, Julia set about making keepsake bears for the relatives and friends of loved ones who have passed away.
With patience and unfaltering attention to detail, nurse Julia lovingly creates Forget Me Not Bears using the favourite clothing and accessories of lost loved ones.
Over the past two years, she has perfected her art, and her beautiful creations are sold all over the UK – and even in far-flung corners of the globe, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Julia, who can produce a keepsake bear in between four and six hours, explained:
“At the start of 2020, I decided to set myself a new goal and learn a new skill, so I decided
I would take up sewing.
“If I put my mind to something,
I can master it – which is why I thought I’d love to be able to make something that means something to people.
“My job is incredibly meaningful and I’m usually the first person to comfort and support a grieving family at an incredibly difficult time.
“For me, the keepsake bears are something special for a family to have to remember and cherish their loved one by.”
To create a bear, Julia first takes an item or clothing or piece of fabric which means something to the family.
She continued: “Some relatives tell me that their loved one would always wear a jumper, or a headscarf – even eyelashes – so I’ll design the bear based on what the person was known for. “Most of my orders are local, but
I’ve also sent bears throughout Scotland – and even to Dubai.
“It can be emotional for bereaved people to receive the bear, so
I’ll always send them a photo in advance and when they come to collect, I usually end up sitting with them over a cuppa and having a chat as they shed happy tears.
“I’ve also had requests from terminally ill people to make bears for their family members, as they know they won’t be here for a particular celebration, such as wedding or the birth of a baby.
Knowing that they can be there in spirit and in mind is special to them.
“On one occasion, a family member told me the number two was special to her dad who had died on 2/2/2022 at 2pm.
“I was making three bears – one for his daughter and two for his granddaughters – and labelled all the parts, one, two and three, to avoid getting them mixed up. Somehow, a number two on the paw managed to shine through, which gave the family a great deal of comfort, as they took it as a sign that dad/grandad was still with them.”
Julia, 47, of Armadale,
West Lothian, has during her eightyear career with Marie Curie, looked after terminally ill people and their families in their homes across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
She said: “I’m incredibly privileged, as I get to meet and care for so many lovely people in my job as a Marie Curie nurse. “As a charity, it relies on fundraisers and donations and, in 2020/21, the charity cared for over 9,000 people in Scotland
– that’s the highest number on record. “For me, this is me giving something back to the charity so our nurses and doctors and health care assistants can continue being there for terminally ill people in their home and our two Scottish hospices.”
Comments from customers on her Facebook page include: “The bears are all personal to each of us. They are made beautifully, and mean so much.”
Another of Julia’s clients posted: “If you’re not sure of what to do with clothing a loved one leaves behind and struggle to ‘let go,’ then these bears are a great way to have these clothes turned into something you can keep – and rest assured they are in great hands, with the end result something that will take your breath away.”
To order a keepsake bear, visit www.facebook.com/forget-me-notbears-by-julia-331717991416333.
Prices start at £70 and £5 from each bear will go directly to
Marie Curie.
I get to meet and care for so many lovely people in my job as a Marie Curie nurse