• Home
  • Shop
  • Meet April
  • Blog
  • Writings
  • Speaking
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

The Stamped Lily

A blog by April Dillow

Our Book

September 12, 2017 by april dillow Leave a Comment

September 12, 2016: I parked the car and stepped out with the book and the flowers in hand.  It’s a hot day so the green carnations I’ve bought are starting to wilt.  Nevertheless, I start out on to the grass steering clear of the other stones as I make my way to his.  I have to catch my breath, like I do every time I come here, as I approach the granite stone etched with his name and a picture of him smiling on my wedding day.  The tears start to fall as I wipe the dirt stained water spots off of his picture and my hand comes to rest on his face.  More tears fall.  I lay the wilted carnations on the corner of the stone and pick up my book.  Our book.

I open the cover and read aloud the first line of the dedication “For my brother John, my forever friend.” I continue reading the book, line by line aloud.  I know he’s not here listening but here in the cemetery, sitting on the grass in front of his headstone is the only quiet place I feel is devoted only to him.  So I keep reading.  As I read each line aloud our childhood memories replay in my head.  I keep reading.  I come to the end of the book no longer able to see through my tears and end… “After all, brothers make the best friends”, and then I say “I love you”.  Then silence.  

 I had to read the book to him.  I had to take it there and read it out loud.  I could not stop thinking about how I wished he could read it.  Wondering if he would be proud of me.  Feeling that although the book was published and I had so much support from my family, he was missing.  The book is about him too.  He should be here.  


One year ago today, “Brothers Make the Best Friends” was published.  The documentation of cherished memories with my brother is now available for everyone to read.  To this day there are mixed emotions surrounding the book.  I love it.  Truly and deeply love it.  I love the way my kids light up when I read it and I love the way they respond to Lydia’s beautiful illustrations.  So much joy with the sadness.  John and I won’t create new memories, and this is what makes the memories I do have so special.  

Friendship Books for Kids | Brother Sister Kid Book | Brothers Make the Best Friends

 God was so kind when he gave me the words to this book and I am so grateful for the way it brought healing I didn’t know how much I needed.  If you’ve bought my book, thank you.  It doesn’t seem like quite enough, but thank you for loving it as much as I do.  

Brothers Make the Best Friends | Kids Book About Friendship | Brothers and Sisters

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Next Post Am I allowed to be sad?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

HI, I’M APRIL!

HI, I’M APRIL!

I’m an encourager and I enjoy chatting with you about what God is teaching me. Every day I’m learning and every day I’m reminding myself who I am in Christ. I’m a simple girl who speaks about hope in the midst of my own struggles. Whether I’m sharing my story of God’s faithfulness through the loss of my brother to suicide, or talking about my daily sin struggles and remembering to give myself grace, God is walking me through every part of it.

FOLLOW ME

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Let’s stay connected!

Leave your email to be the first to know about all things Stamped Lily: New products in the shop, new blog posts, exclusive discount codes and more. Psst...You’ll get a discount code just for signing up.

Here they are! The last four cuffs available in th Here they are! The last four cuffs available in the Heirloom Collection launch happening this Friday 2/26 on my website😍

AND I totally forgot to mention necklaces in my stories yesterday! I’ll share those tomorrow ☺️

Can I answer any questions?? Restock questions? Heirloom cuff questions? Drop them here💗

#thestampedlily #theheirloomcollection #upcycledjewelry #upcycledleather #upcycledbelt #vintagejewelrylover
Carriage House is stocked! I may or may not have Carriage House is stocked!

I may or may not have had to take the Christmas tree out my booth today guys but it’s fully stocked and no longer out of date! 😂 I added some spring lace tassel earrings to the mix as well as some new heirloom pieces!

Oh and P.S. the Carriage House has some of the best antiques and gifts. Definitely worth the trip...not just for The Stamped Lily 😉

#thestampedlily
Ohh it’s getting good y’all! 3 more in the he Ohh it’s getting good y’all!

3 more in the heirloom collection launch coming this Friday night!! Can’t wait for you to see the rest🙌🏼

Do you have a fave yet??

#thestampedlily #theheirloomcollection #upcycledjewerly
It’s heirloom launch week y’all! Friday night It’s heirloom launch week y’all!

Friday night is the night! These sweet pieces and MORE will be available. I’ll preview the rest throughout the week!

AND the awesome pair of earrings I shared in my last post will be available too 😍

I tried to make what y’all asked for! Crosses and bling were a couple of the suggestions! Check and check!

Have a great Monday!

#thestampedlily #theheirloomcollection #upcycledjewelry #leathercuffs #upcycledleather
What do you wish you knew how to do? Each time I What do you wish you knew how to do?

Each time I share about learning the piano in my stories I’ll get a few messages saying “I’ve always wanted to learn!” Or “I should do this too!”

Isn’t it amazing that somewhere down the line we’ve decided that it’s too late or there’s not enough time to learn something new? 

Here’s your permission slip!! It’s not to late!! It’s not too late to at least try something new! Whether it’s a skill, a craft, another language, a website, or a podcast even. I’m cheering you on👊🏼

What is the thing you’ve been itching to try?

P.S. Shoutout to James who actually took a decent piano shot 😂

#thestampedlily #tslpianodiaries #learningtoplay #pianorookie
Morning friends! You know what this means...the n Morning friends!

You know what this means...the next restock will be next Friday 2/26 and it’s all Heirloom pieces! Can’t wait to see what comes out of the shop this time!

They’re my favorite to create! And they seem to be a favorite of yours...so mark your calendars!

Is there anything specific you’re looking for? I can keep that in mind when creating!

#thestampedlily #heirloomcollection #upcycledjewerly
What do you want to make next? I’ve got a few i What do you want to make next?

I’ve got a few ideas in the works for the next project kit but I thought I’d ask your opinion! What are you loving to make with your Stamp Kits? What do you want to make more of?

I want your Stamp Kit to be everything you dreamed it would be. 😍 I want to encourage your stampers to keep stamping and creating so it’s important to me to listen to what your stampers love to make! 

Just a reminder that the FULL TSL Stamp Kit is always available in my shop and I’ll be releasing project kits every other month! 💗

So drop your ideas and thoughts below so I can try and make it happen!

#thestampedlily #tslstampkit
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anythi “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” -C.S. Lewis

Here’s to keeping our hearts soft and being vulnerable ❤️

#thestampedlily #tslworkbench #handstampedmetal #handstamped
It’s Friday! And it’s the last day to get you It’s Friday!

And it’s the last day to get your copper bar necklaces on sale ❤️

So if ya didn’t snag one yet and you’ve been wanting one...today’s a good day!

Thank you so much for the last two weeks! I’ve had so much fun making your sweet gifts❤️❤️

#thestampedlily #handstampedjewelry #handstampedmetal
Can you believe it’s been ONE YEAR since rings c Can you believe it’s been ONE YEAR since rings came to the shop?

Still making these like crazy for you and still loving it! In fact I just finished a sweet girl’s ring stack yesterday that included all of her horses names 😌

There are so many possibilities🙌🏼

It’s a good time to visit the *Rings* highlight if you need to freshen up your rings! There’s a story titled “ring maintenance” with details on how to do that! Plus you may get some new ring ideas💗

#thestampedlily #handstampedrings #handstampedpewter #handstampedjewelry
Follow on Instagram

COPYRIGHT © 2019. Emma Theme by The Stamped Lily ·