There is a legend that has been passed down for countless years that involves those that we have lost and a small red bird. It's a simple tale that says when someone sees a cardinal cross their path, the bird is actually a message from someone we cared about who has passed away. This beautiful idea has been a source of comfort for people dealing with the difficult times after losing a loved one, and helps people appreciate small moments when times seem at their darkest.
This legend created a sense of connection between Mary and our own sales representative, JoJo McCullough. Mary came to us requesting a very special project; a pin in the style of a quilting square featuring a cardinal. Mary is a part of a quilting guild, and enjoys creating quilts with beautiful designs that hold a great amount of sentimental value to the people that receive them. Mary requested this particular pin in order to celebrate the life of her late father, Frank Waizenhofer.
The Connection
Mary's idea of the cardinal, and the story it represented, reminded JoJo of his grandmother. He told Mary that the pin reminded him of glass paintings of birds his grandmother would make. Mary then told JoJo the connection between the cardinal and lost loved ones, and shared the story of her late father, who's charitable work and giving spirit served as the inspiration for the pin.
Description - These custom pins were inspired by a quilting square design and measure 0.75”. They’re plated in silver and highly polished featuring 6 different color fills as well as a butterfly clutch.
The Inspiration
Mary's father Frank was an active member of the Masons since 1974, as well as the Shriners society, starting in 1993. Mary told us that her father's kind disposition caused him to fit right in with the Shriners. During his time with the organization, he did volunteer work as a clown named "Juggles". As Juggles, he would visit the children in the Shriners hospital, making them laugh and brightening their day. He also helped oversee many Shriner events in Kentucky, and had a great positive impact on the children he visited in those hospitals. Mary said that her father's giving spirit taught her "that giving to others is the best way to live your life."
Frank continued working as Juggles well into his 80s, and still attended Shriners parades even after retiring as a clown. Sadly, Frank passed away in early 2021 due to health issues related to the COVID 19 pandemic. He loved the work he did with the Masons and the Shriners, and left behind a legacy that has touched the hearts of his fellow lodge members, as well as many children he brought joy to while working in the Hospitals.
Description - Frank had a very extensive collection of pins, some of which are pictured here. Lapel pins are extremely popular with the Shriner community as they show a sense of camaraderie and community pride between members.
The Purpose of the Pin
Mary let us know that she would be giving several of the cardinal pins to Frank's fellow Shriners, serving a similar purpose as the story of the red bird by reminding them of all the good he did in the world. She also said she would be handing out the remainder of the pins to people she meets that, as she put it, "need a little reminder that their loved ones may be physically gone, but they live in our hearts forever".
Mary's story of her father touched JoJo's heart, and Mary even gave him one of the cardinal pins to serve as a fond reminder of his grandmother as well. She also shared pictures of the Shriner's train, as well as a beautiful quilt she made in his honor. The quilt shows an image of him in his full clown costume, and also displays a few of Frank's favorite Shriner pins that he collected in his time as a part of the organization.
Stories like Frank's, about people who spend their life caring for others, touch our hearts, and remind us that many of the pins we help people create mean so much more than just a simple piece of metal. We greatly appreciate Mary allowing us to share Frank's story, and hope that the next time you see a cardinal cross your path, it will remind you of a very kind and special clown.