A year ago, Angela Smith could not have predicted that she would soon be opening a business tailored specifically to disaster survivors. But the course of Smith’s life, like that of countless others, was forever changed by last year’s tornado.
While Smith feels extremely fortunate that no one in her family was injured in the disaster, her mother’s home on Ozark Avenue sustained major damage. In addition, the storm destroyed the extensive gardens designed and nurtured by Smith’s father--gardens that had become a “living legacy” cherished by the family after his early passing at the age of 47.
“I grew up in Joplin and will always consider it my hometown,” says Smith. “It has been devastating to see the destruction to my childhood home, church, high school and many other places I held dear. My heart aches for all the families who lost loved ones and for the numerous individuals who suffered serious injuries. It will be a long road to recovery for the people of Joplin, but I have faith that the city will emerge from this tragedy.”
Smith spent several months after the storm helping her mother pick up the pieces, and during this time, she realized that disaster survivors needed a way to memorialize their losses. To meet this need, she opened Cedar House Keepsakes, an online shop featuring a collection of items produced by artists and craftspeople from across the country.
“This isn’t a profit-making venture for me--it’s more a labor of love,” Smith explains. “Preserving our memories is important, and I believe it’s a crucial part of the healing process for disaster survivors and for the entire city of Joplin.”
Smith’s web shop includes a number of handcrafted items intended to memorialize survivors’ homes, their loved ones and their pets. For those who were able to salvage photos of their previous homes, custom “house portraits” can be created in watercolor or pen and ink.
MSSU professor Chad Stebbins, one of Smith’s first customers, had this to say after commissioning a watercolor painting of his mother’s house on Wisconsin Avenue that was destroyed by the storm: “My mother lived in that house for 37 years, my sister and I both grew up there, and it really was the place that we all called home. She loved the painting of her house, and it was also a big hit with the rest of our family. The painting resides in a prominent place in her new home.”
In addition to house portraits, the keepsake collection includes handmade memory quilts, photo ornaments, personalized memorial jewelry and hand-painted garden stones. Customers will also find a selection of items to show their community support, as well as gifts of appreciation for those who assisted after the disaster.
Knowing that funds are limited for many people affected by the storm, Smith provides free tips on her website for creating inexpensive keepsakes. For additional information, visit www.CedarHouseKeepsakes.com
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