Your Stories

I recieved my first Willow Tree from my six year old son; it was a Mother's Day gift. I loved it; it meant the world. Since then, he gives them to me for birthdays and Mother's Day. He is so thoughtful and wonderful! Thank you for giving him the joy of providing me with a gift so wonderful. He always says "see, Mom: that's you and me!"

Submitted by Kameron in Florida

My first Willow Tree (Thank You) was given to me by my cheerleaders as a gift of thanks. My second figurine was given to me by a very tearful group of cheerleaders two weeks after my 32-year-old son died in a motorcycle accident. It is the Mother and Son figurine. All I could do was sob. These teen-age girls found something that encompassed a mother's love for her son at a time my heart was broken and it showed me their love. These two figurines sit in a very prominent place in my home and each time I pass them I am reminded that love comes from many different walks of life. None is less important than the other. Susan Lordi has captured love in each of her collection pieces. Now Willow Tree figurines are my gift of choice to a daughter, a student aide, a friend, or me whenever an expression of love is needed and words aren't enough.

Submitted by Debbie in Utah

I was given a Willow Tree gift several years ago from my husband. Since then I have added to my collection 31 Willow Tree figurines. The reason my husband liked them and why I fell in love with them is the encouragement I felt when I received my first few. I am a four time cancer survivor and find the Willow Tree collection empowering. Thank you for this.

Submitted by Nancy in Virginia

I started my collection in high school when my cheerleading coach gave me one as a 'Thank You' gift for my dedication during the season, it was the Friendship figuirine of the angel holding the cat. My love for Willow Tree started there. I received the "Promise" figurine for my bridal shower from my mother and from there my collection has grown. I now own seven Willow Tree angels, figurines, etc. and will continue buying more. I love the design of them. They are just beautiful. Keep creating beautiful pieces! Thank you!

Submitted by Megan in Ohio

The piece, Quietly, was bought for me by my husband after the birth of our second son. I was absolutely delighted with it and I look at it every day, as it reminds me of my boys. My husband has since brought me other Willow Tree figurines and they all have a personal meaning to me. I love them.

Submitted by Heidi in Northamptonshire

My mom really liked the Willow Tree figurines and had started giving them as gifts to family members. For Mother's Day two years ago I gave her Joy. For her birthday this past year I gave her Grateful, to let her know I loved her as a mother and a friend. When she had a stroke I purchased the Angel of Healing as a Christmas present for my cousin who helped care for her and others. Then, my parents house partially burned. The firemen saved the shelf on which my mom had her figurines displayed. She was sad to think that my cousin wouldn't get her angel-she thought it had burned. I explained that it was safe at my house and she was glad. She never did get to see my cousin open the gift, for a month after her stroke she died. Afterwards, three of my best friends bought me Surrounded by Love in remembrance of my mother. I will begin collecting them now.

Submitted by Cindy in Georgia

I bought this for my mother on her birthday last year. She already had The Loving Angel,wich I bought for her,and the With Affection,wich she bought herself. She really loves these sculptures,as do I. I really hope to get my own someday,maybe for a birthday gift. I am thinking about buying one of these for a Valentine's Day gift now for my best friend--that will be so great!

Submitted by Angelica in Sweden

My anniversary is coming up next week and I have been searching for the perfect gift to take my girlfriend's breath away. I have found this perfect gift. Just looking at this piece brings tears to my eyes. It symbolizes everything I feel about her with such ease and simplicity. I can't wait to give this gift to her.

Submitted by Dustin in Texas

My college roommate began my Willow Tree collection years ago. My son carried on the tradition and has given me quite a few. My "favorite and most sentimental" is the 2008 little angel. In 2008, I lost three of the most important women in my life - my Mother, my Nana (my son's paternal grandmother), and Carmen (lady I lived with for years when I moved to CA). I keep this angel next to a photo of them all and my heart is touched each time I view that arrangement.
Thank you, Willow Tree, for making these beautiful sentiments.

Submitted by Sharon in California

I am active duty in the U.S. military, and I have spent many holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. away from my loved ones. I am currently in Korea.
I discovered Willow Tree figurines. I like the Promise, Quest, Kindness, and Caring child. That is my family!

Submitted by A in Texas

I was going through the very toughest time in my entire life. My very dearest friend purchased me my very first Willow Tree of the mother and daughter to symbolize our strength and love that we have in each other. My mother, about six months later, also purchased me the Angel of Hope figure. I held those two so close to my heart. The gesture meant so much to me. My youngest daughter and I have been sharing the joy of collecting Willow Tree since Christmas. I purchased her one from the Roses in the Garden collection. These figurines just speak to me. The care that goes into their beauty is priceless. They will remain a tradition that my daughter and I will share together for many many years to come. Thank you!

Submitted by Jennifer in Illinois

My sister started me on collecting Willow Tree figurines. Through the years I have collected the figurines that remind me of my family. The only one I didn't have was a brother-sister figurine. The one that I saw had the sister being the oldest and I wanted one that depicted the brother being older which was the appropriate one for me. Well, unfortunately, my brother died unexpectedly; he was 57 years old. Two weeks after he died I received a notice of new Willow Tree figurines, and there it was, the Brother and Sister figurine with the brother being the older. Of course, I couldn't believe it and cried. It is now one of my most treasured Willow Tree figurines.

Submitted by Martha in Oregon

I received a Willow Tree Angel (Angel of The Kitchen) about a year ago from a very good friend. I had never heard of them before, I loved it and have been collecting them ever since. I have 12 of them so far, and any occasion that comes along where you could receive a gift, I always make sure that everyone knows how much I love them. Needless to say whenever I receive a gift I know what it is, I just don't know which one. Thank you Susan Lordi.

Submitted by Wanda in Vermont

I started collecting the Willow Tree figurines about 5 years ago. At that time, I started with "Promise" as my husband and I had just gotten married. Just as we got the news that he was being deployed to Afghanistan, "Hero" came out. I bought several of those to remind me of the sacrifice that so many make. After he returned home (injured but safe) we started our family so I bought "Cherish." Once our son was born, "Our Gift" was added to the collection. Today "Tenderness" was added. I share my story because there seems to be a Willow Tree for every occasion and momentous time in my life. The pieces are beautiful and I have them proudly displayed. Thank you!!

Submitted by Melissa in Texas

I started collecting Willow Tree 7 years ago after my son's death. Each year on Christmas Eve I place a new Willow Tree ornament on our tree in memory of my son. The emotions one feels after a tragic loss cannot be described but I have found many of them expressed in the ornaments.

Submitted by Lisa in Indiana

I recieved my first Angel this Christmas 2009 from my new daughter-in-law Stephanie. I had heard of these beautiful angels. When I held hold one in my hands and saw the beauty of it, I was blessed and felt so loved. Thank you for sharing your beautiful God-given gift with me and others. And thank you Stephanie for giving me my first Willow Tree Angel. God Bless. Joni

Submitted by Joni in Indiana

Being a guy, I never liked the idea of figurines. But after seeing a Willow Tree figurine that a friend had gotten as a gift, I quickly changed my mind. The firgurines aren't "girly" like most, and the colors are a perfect match for our decor. The poses seem very natural and not as stoic as a lot of "knick knacks" I have seen. I have been collecting for the last 4 years (slowly) and just got myself some gorgeous shelves to proudly display my works of art!

Submitted by Christopher in Ontario, Canada

Susan,

Today we bury my niece and her day old baby. They were tragically killed in a car accident a week before Christmas. My sister and I purchased the Willow Tree mother and new born child figurine and had it placed in her funeral arrangement. I want you to know how much of a comfort this was for her mom and dad. May we find peace,joy and love during this tragic time. Thanks for your work and what a small rememberence of Kristen and Riley has meant to us all. God bless.

Submitted by Christina in Florida

10 years ago, I joined the Navy and left behind 2 great kids, 5 years old and 18 months. Today I remind each of them just how much I love them, miss them and how they are very close to my heart each and every day no matter where I might be stationed. I've sent each of my kids the Mother and Son & Mother and Daughter. The figurines keep my heart from breaking every time I think of them. Thank you.

Submitted by Heather in California

I had looked for a nativity set but was turned away by the ones that Mary is not holding her baby. All new mothers that I know do not put their babies down! The moment I saw Willow Tree's set I was hooked! I keep it up all year long because the love on Mary's face when she is looking at her baby is too beautiful to put away!
My tree is also all Willow Tree!
Thank you!

Submitted by Ruth-Ann in Maine

This piece was the beginning of my Willow Tree experience. I was only a few months pregnant with my 1st and only child. My mother had given this to me to remind me how precious the life inside of me was (and still is). Cherish will always remind me of that moment and of the special bond between my mom and me. Thank you for creating such thoughtful and beautiful works of art. My mom and I now exchange Willow Tree moments every occassion we can.

Submitted by Kim in Maine

Susan,
I just want you to know that your angels are so healing and inspirational. We started collecting them when my mother battled cancer. Our mother is an angel and that is what drew us to your beautiful collection. She is cancer free now and we all have found such strength in these amazing angels.
Through the years we have give them as gifts to our friends and families in many different situations. Since July my 10-year-old daughter Cailtyn has been in and out of the ICU at Loma Linda hospital in Ca. Every day we have surrounded her hospital bed or where ever she is with your angels, especially the Angel of Courage and the Angel of Patience. One of the first things she could remember was the Angel of Courage. She has found such strength and peace in this. We just want to say thank you for being an inspiration Susan. Each Angel is a meaningful masterpiece!
On Christmas Caitlyn, my family and I have decided we would like to deliver the Angel of Courage to some of the kids in the ICU and to the nurses. This was Caitlyn’s idea. There were so many sick kids; we want to place an angel by their bedside. We hope that they can find in your collection the comfort, wisdom, and positive feeling that we have found over these trying times.
Happy Holidays,
Stephanie
Caitlyn’s story is @ welovecaitlyn.blogspot.com

Submitted by Stephanie in California

2009 has been a very hard year for my family. I had gotten engaged and had a wedding date set for the beginning of June. The week of my wedding my eighteen year old sister died in a car accident. Needless to say I couldn't go through with a wedding without her standing beside me as my Maid of Honor. My fiance and I decided to get married by the Justice of the Peace that week instead. The day of the Viewing one of my friends came through the line and gave me the Angel of Remembrance in memory of my sister. It meant so much to me. Now I collect Willow Tree figurines becase they bring a smile to my face as I think of how blessed I was to have my sister in my life.
Thank you

Submitted by Karen in Ohio

My story is several blended together in one family. We are two families blended together into one. I was a single mother with three children. I knew that there was someone that God had for me and my children. I also was/am caring for my ill mother. My husband had a son who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. We are now a family of eight. We are very blessed. We have our struggles like anyone else, but we blended like we were never apart. We are very much in love and we all support each other and know that we have a guardian angel looking upon us.

Submitted by Mechelle in New Mexico

I have been looking for the perfect Nativity set to introduce to our new home. My husband and I just got married over a year ago and found this one together. We thought it was the perfect fit to our new home and a perfect piece to admire as we start our life together. Thanks.

Submitted by Naomi in California

I am from Brazil and I have been living in America for the past 8 years. I love living here, but I left behind my loved parents and brother. The Willow Tree figurines help me remember my loved ones in my country. Now that I am a mother I love receiving these as gifts and having them as a reminder of what I love the most in my life: my family! They are so beautiful and they bring a smile to my face every time I look at them. Your talent is a blessing from above! Thank you for sharing it with all of us who love the Willow Tree collection.

Submitted by Kelly in Idaho

My daughters and I love Willow Tree. My teenage daughter began collecting a few years ago. I believe through collecting and studying the pieces she has improved the quality and emotion in her own drawings. Thank you for creating such a unique line of collectibles. The Blessings figurine topped each of my daughters Christmas lists last year!

Submitted by Janet in Ohio

Close to me -
I bought two of these from a local store here in Salinas. When I saw Close to me I remembered my daughter-in-law Isela and her sister Maria. They lost their mother one year ago of cancer; she was only 58. They miss her so much. I can see it in their eyes. It was their mother Angela's birthday Friday 11/5. As it says, apart or together, always close to me, their mother Angela will always be close to their hearts.

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