Buttons Project » Resources

Dear friends,

The BP has been slowly gaining momentum. On an average I have been recieving a letter/story and button once a week. As I have said, I find it very moving and humbling. I have received buttons from teenager to elderly, women, men, grandparents and siblings. I also have a glass jar with a mounting collection of buttons (450 so far) people have given to me in support of the
project. If I collect 18500 buttons in jars representing the annual number of abortions in New Zealand alone, then it would have a huge visual impact alongside the wall hangings.

Some comments:

…..Thank you again I’m so glad to have someone to share this with.

What a beautiful thing you are doing.

Thank you soooooo much for the Buttons Project.

Thank you both for your openness and for the compassion you are expressing for and remembrance of New Zealand’s lost children. This will be a huge encouragement to men and women around New Zealand who have found themselves in this position, and who have lived with the thought/memory.

Dear Marina, I want to thank you for this opportunity to publicly mark the lives of my babies. You are doing a good thing. I love and will miss them always and am sorry I didn’t give them everything they needed and deserved.

“A small button for a small child – SIMON. Unwanted, unloved, unmourned and discarded in a back street abortion 58 years ago. Forgive me little one, your mother.”

For my grandchild who I always think about and who would have been 20 years this year.

What has been happening since the last update?

June – Buttons Project media release went out. Appearing on the web in www.scoop.co.nz , then followed an interview on Radio 531pi. A reporter Tammy Buckley did quite a big article in the Sunday News paper (show above) on the 6^th July.   Have also appeared   in some inter-denominational papers in the last couple of months. It has been a great encouragement to me to see word of the project spreading across the country, reaching people of all walks of life.

My story and website has also been put on a womens magazine online www.womenz.co.nz   I have had a television interview on Shine TV and have spoken at a couple of churches, womens group and youth. Which I am keen to continue to speak to different groups when given the opportunity.

I have always admired a quote from an American author and activitist Helen Keller who was deaf and blind:
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do”

This is something I can do, to be a bridge towards healing and acknowledging what happened. To show how the buttons project has been significant for, not only myself, but these people in their journey of healing and remembrance. As it is often a deep private grief and not generally talked about. I have a great respect for the stories recieved, peoples courage in sharing, and would not jeopardize their confidentiality. My vision for the future is to have with the memorial of buttons, a memorial book of comments and stories shared – where permission is given.

Thanks again for your support in this project and if you would like me to come and speak , or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Warmest regards,

Marina

BUTTONS PROJECT UPDATE

13^th April 2008

SOME OF THE SPECIAL BUTTONS RECEIVED

Dear friends,

The 18^th February 2008, was the initial beginning of the “Buttons Project” and when

the website went live.

I began the email tree which has spread out to many and continues to grow. It was the next big step in pursuing my dream of collecting 1000’s and 1000’s of buttons.

I just wanted to let you know that the Buttons project is moving along and gaining momentum. Also, to say thank you for your support of this huge project.

I have been greatly encouraged by the response so far and deeply moved by the stories shared, the words of encouragement, and the buttons arriving. Some named, some unnamed, some with a story or a button in an envelope wrapped in tissue.

Each time I clear the post office box   I experience a mixture of sadness in the stories/buttons I get, excitement that others believe in the project and encouragement that people can find peace and some closure. As for many of us, it has been hard to openly talk about and a deep secret that has had great impact on our lives.

I have been cataloguing all buttons and correspondence, as I realise that they are precious and unique for the person who has sent it. A symbol for the baby that was aborted, never to be forgotten.

I look forward to giving you more updates in the future, including pictures of more buttons, and sharing some of the stories, when permission is given.

Please continue to spread the word about the project. As I want to reach all people in New Zealand and Australia. And beyond.

Warmest regards,

Marina J

.