When my friend Clint was in his final weeks battling testicular cancer, I felt really helpless. I wanted to do something for Clint, his wife Angela and their family, but didn’t know what or how. I ended up writing to Angela, feeling pushy and awkward, and offered her my future sewing services. I wanted to make something from Clint’s shirts to help their little boys remember him. Thankfully, she knew just what I meant and in spite of how weird I felt offering, she was glad to accept. Her Aunt already wanted to make bears for the boys, but Angela didn’t want Clint’s adult daughters to be left out.
Clint died December 11, 2011. Angela sent me a box of shirts. At the time, I was in the middle of a project and had to set them aside, but I couldn’t resist – I pulled out a random shirt and hugged it, then carefully boxed them up. She had picked out a sewing pattern she liked and included it, McCall’s Crafts M6135, if you’re interested. She preferred Bear B, with his cute little toes. (Love the toes!)
If you decide to sew a memorial bear, just know it’s really difficult to cut into a friend’s shirt. I didn’t want to be slicing into his shirt, I wanted him to be wearing it. I dragged my feet. As she did when we were losing Clint, Angela helped me to be practical and get to it. Let me tell you, that woman has an amazing strength and a supportive spirit! Did you notice that there are four bears? Yes, there’s one for Angela, too.
We decided these Daddy Bears should have the #weloveclint bracelets we wore to support him and spread the message about testicular cancer. I think they really like their bracelets.
Here they are with my own little Anna Claire Bear. (My Aunt Joyce had these made for my cousins and me when we lost our Grandma. They’re little, each made from her favorite wool coat she bought on a vacation in Ireland.) When you are missing someone, it really does help to hold a little bear made from clothes that remind you of them.
Clint’s Daddy Bears are a very hug-friendly size.
I hope when they hug their bears, they can feel their Daddy hugging them back. Because you know he is. You know he always is.
In a post already loaded with pictures, I still need to share the most important ones with you. Here are Sarah, Kathleen and Victoria receiving their Daddy Bears. Enjoy the smiles and hugs!
With many thanks to their Mom for delivering them and sharing these photos with us!
If you’d like a way to help other kids going through the loss of a parent, please take a look at the Clint Miller Memorial Foundation and consider making a contribution.
CoopCrafts 
I absolutely love these bears. I am sitting here trying not to cry. You are so amazingly talented, sweet and kind.
Go on and cry, Lesley. I’ll join you. :) We miss Clint and it’s great to see his girls smile like that!
Thank you for this post, I was in tears myself. My sister recently lost her husband to oral cancer, and I want to make one of these for her youngest son who is 5 yrs old. Is this pattern old/out of print? TIA xoxo -Jenn
Hi Jenn, I’m so sorry about the loss of your brother in law. It seems that this pattern is out of print, but if you’ll scroll down the comments, in response to Abigail I posted links to a couple free patterns that looked somewhat similar. Here’s another from Simplicity that is currently available and looks really cute: http://hancockfabrics.com/simplicity-crafts-pattern-855304.html?gclid=CL6X6pDRr8ICFYKPMgodZhwAiQ&gdftrk=gdfV210411_a_7c4140_a_7c11528_a_7c855304 It doesn’t have the cute toes or hearts, but if you’re comfortable enough with sewing to attempt these bears, you could probably add those easily if you wanted them.
Sarah,
I just want to thank you for the wonderful gift you gave my girls. I can’t begin to tell you how my heart swelled whit joy and my eyes with tears as I watched each girl hold there daddy bears for the first time. There smiles were priceless, wish you could have been there to see them yourself!!!! I know each girl will cherish them always. Just an FYI, the bears have found comfy spots in each girls bed and are definitely cuddled. Thank you again for helping our family get through this hard time.
Sincerely , Tamara Carroll
The mother of the Girls
Tamara, it’s so nice to meet you! Thank you for helping deliver the bears and for sharing the pictures with us! I cried each time Angela forwarded me a picture of girl-meets-bear. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to know the bears are just where they should be now. I’ve thought and prayed for you all during these weeks of sewing. Thank you for helping this happen!
Sarah,
Thank you again for the bears and all your prayers.
Sarah,
Just wanted you to know that Kathleen had a baby shower on the 5 th and daddy bear was used for dress the baby!! Everyone was told the story Of how daddy near came to be and there was not a dry eye in the room. The bear was passed around from person to person and was admired by all!!!
Giving Kathleen her bear at her baby shower was just perfect! I hope it helped her feel her Dad close to her while preparing for and celebrating her baby. :)
sarah……funny…i knew that they had this thing about unicorns…..dont know what it is…..didnt really matter…..i found those cuddly pillows, and they had unicorns….so i sent 4 of them….one for the boys, and one for angela, and one for clint…..oh wait….i mean the easter bunny sent them….clint is with all of us…..
I love that, Lisa! What a thoughtful Easter Bunny you are! :)
Oh, that is SO touching! And your work is beautiful . . . this made my day! :)
I was poking about pinterest, as I often do, when I came across your daddy bears post. I knew it was fate that I saw your post…while poking about, I was thinking about my infant son who we lost to SIDS almost 4 years ago . I have wanted to make bears or bunnies out of his clothes or blankets, but haven’t been able to consider cutting up his things. I guess need to get off my duff, and make some bears…. By the way, his name was Cooper. :o) understand while I got goosebumps?
Oh Amanda, you should certainly make a bear from some of Cooper’s clothes! I can’t imagine how empty your arms must feel at times, missing him. Somehow little bears made from something your loved one used to wear … well, at least it helps a little to fill your arms with something he used to wear. I do hope you’ll make one, and I’d love to see it when you do if you’d like to share a link! (And thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, I was very happy to hear from you!)
Dear Amanda, did you ever end up making the bear?
Hi, your work is beautiful! Melts my heart. I was wondering if I could place an order with you for daddy bears. Thank you for your time.
Hi Kristen! Thank you for asking, but I don’t sell my work. These were made for a good friend. You might want to try checking on Etsy.com, because they have many people who are happy to make custom orders. After a quick search for “Memorial Bears”, I found these shops that make custom bears from your fabric: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sewcrazee https://www.etsy.com/shop/MemoriesLiveOn https://www.etsy.com/shop/myrecycledmemories I hope this helps!
Sarah,
I was wondering if you still had the McCall’s Crafts M6135 Pattern. I believe it is out of print and I would love to make my best friend one for her children. She lost her father just a few months ago. If not do you know of a pattern that is close to this one. I love your work! Thanks for the help
Hi Abigail,
I do still have the pattern, but it’s pretty worn after being used four times and I do want to hang onto it. I found this pattern that I thought was at least somewhat close, and really cute: http://www.howjoyful.com/2010/05/howjoyful-bear-tutorial-and-pattern/ and there are more patterns here: http://www.sewingsupport.com/sewing-how-to/free-patterns-and-projects/teddy-bears.html I hope this helps. It’s wonderful of you to want to make bears for your friend’s children!
Can I get your prices and info….my 6yr old son’s father passed away Feb 4th,2015. He also has a 14 yr old brother. I would love for the boys to have a special daddy bear
Hi Heather, I’m very sorry, but I just sew for family and friends as a hobby, I don’t sell what I make. You may want to check Etsy, there are many people who will make custom items by request.
This is so beautiful and tears roll down my face as I realize you’ve shown me what our family needs right now. Nearly 6 months ago we last my husbands dad very unexpectedly and it has been a tremendous struggle for us and our children. He was a carpenter with LOTS of denim jeans and cotton shirts. I see a lot of bears in the future to help each family member pull through. Now if only I can find someone to make these at a reasonable rate. Please provide recommendations if anyone knows of any such individuals that love to make these and aren’t looking to make a huge profit. Thanks so much and God Bless!
Nicole, I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Try Etsy.com, search for “Memory Bears”. There are many people who do custom work like this, and they should have pictures of previous things they’ve made to help you decide.