Summer of Strength: A Conversation About Love, Loss, and Healing with Danni Morford

This month's blog means more to me than words can express—not just for the topic, but for the woman at its center: my dear friend, Danni Morford.

A devoted wife of 53 years, mother, grandmother, faith-filled mosaic artist—and a mother who has carried the soul-wrenching grief of losing her son, Travis, for nearly 18 years. Yet grief has refined her purpose, not broken her spirit.

We sat down to explore the messy, sacred journey of grief, art, healing, addiction, and faith that never lets go.

Parents, Grief, and the Power of Creativity

Izzy: "Danni, your creativity is such a lifeline — from your Christmas letters to your mosaics and the labyrinth you built at your ranch. How has expressing yourself creatively helped in your grief journey?"

Danni: "It saved me. Truly. Creativity gave my grief somewhere to go. Some days, I'd spend hours in my studio, just pouring it all out. I make mosaics, and I'll press some of Travis' ashes into the grout or use his AA coins. It's hard. But it heals. And in those moments, I feel him with me."

Expressing Emotion Through Art and Keepsakes

Turning grief into art—whether mosaic or an engraved cuff bracelet—becomes a powerful act of healing through creativity and remembrance.

What Travis Left Behind

Izzy: "What brings you comfort when thinking of Travis?"

Danni: "When he was little, I used to rub his head and press these pressure points to calm him. I still remember the feel of his hair. I have his wallet. His old t-shirts… and Izzy — your three Redd Dott Jewelry cuff bracelets that I had you custom design to honor him. I wear them every day. They make me feel close to him, and they open the door for me to tell his story. That's what is so powerful and meaningful to me.

It's not just jewelry. When you create something so personal like you do Izzy — so sacred — it becomes a vessel for memory, love, and healing, to the person that wears it. Your custom design didn't just capture his spirit… it gave me a way to carry him with me, always."

Why Personalized Cuff Bracelets Offer Comfort

Her words perfectly capture what makes memorial jewelry and personalized cuff bracelets so meaningful: they're more than adornment—they're vessels of remembrance and emotional connection.

A Legacy Still Speaking

Izzy: "What do you hope people remember about Travis?"

Danni: "His kindness. He'd handwrite notes to his friends — real, heartfelt letters. Even at his lowest, he was trying to help others. I recently found a handwritten prayer he wrote just before he passed. That's how I know he wasn't alone. He was still talking to God. Still holding on."

Faith That Carries

Izzy: "Has your faith carried you through this journey?"

Danni: "100%. I know Travis is with God. I know I'll see him again. That belief is what got me through the darkest days."

Marriage & Grief: Staying Together

Izzy: "You and your husband have been married 53 years — that's incredible. What helped you make it through together?"

Danni: "The Christi Center in Austin saved our marriage. I went first, then my husband started coming with me. The women's group helped me feel seen. And the men's group showed him that how I was grieving wasn't wrong — it was just different. Support is essential. It's not easy, but it's so worth it."

Cherishing Everyday Moments

Izzy: "How has losing Travis shaped everyday life for you?"

Danni: "I cherish life more. I appreciate my sons, Caleb and Eric — our time together. After Travis died, we worried about them and started holding family meetings just to check in. I didn't realize how much everyone in our family needed these check in's. I even had to explain to my grandson why I require a kiss every time someone leaves. I told him, "We don't know what tomorrow holds. I want you to always know how much I love you." That's how I honor Travis. By loving harder."

Spreading Awareness

Izzy: "What gave you the strength to speak out?"

Danni: "After the funeral, Travis's friends came to me and said, "We're tired of losing people." I told them, "Let me catch my breath — and I'll do what I can." My faith helped. It always has."

A Message for Grieving Parents

Izzy: "What would you say to a grieving parent?"

Danni: "Seek help. Don't try to carry it alone. Find a grief support group. Keep a journal — even one word counts. Get outside. Touch the earth. Breathe. You're not alone. And healing is possible."

Living with Grief, Not Against It

Izzy: "Do you still feel grief after 18 years?"

Danni: "Oh yes. When his dog Tyson passed — 11 years after Travis — it felt like losing him all over again. But now, I live with the grief instead of fighting it. I'm training for a second pilgrimage on the El Camino in Spain. I walked 500 miles the first time. I'll do 200 this time — with friends. I've got grandkids now. Life is still beautiful."

Wisdom from Travis

Izzy: "Do you carry any of Travis's words with you?"

Danni: "I do. One line from his letter "Guarantee" stays with me:

And also,

His words still guide me."

Final Thoughts: The Power of Story & Sacred Keepsakes

Travis's story didn't end when he left this world — it transformed. It became letters. Mosaics. Prayers. Engraved custom bracelet designs. His legacy lives on in every soul Danni reaches with her words, and in every conversation sparked by the Redd Dott Jewelry memorial jewelry cuff she wears.

They're not just adornments.
They're sacred artifacts of remembrance.
They're the voice of a son.
The strength of a mother.
And the story of love that never ends.

Resources Danni Recommends

• The Christi Center – Grief support (Austin, TX)
• Al-Anon – Help for families affected by addiction
• Guided by Grief – Compassionate grief resources
• Danni's book: Shoot My Ashes from a Cannon: Beyond Addiction – The Letters — a raw, hopeful read that heals, amuse, and lingers long after the final page

Visit redddott.com to see more examples of our custom work and begin your own journey with us.

Continue the Healing Journey

If Danni's story moved you, consider these supportive actions:

Read Danni's book: 📖 Shoot My Ashes from a Cannon: Beyond Addiction – The Letters

👉 Find it on Amazon — and if it touched you, please leave a review. It helps others in similar pain find comfort.

It's one of those rare reads that'll make you laugh out loud one minute, cry the next, and then sit quietly as her words echo in your heart long after the last page. I cannot recommend it enough.

Once you've read it, I have two small favors to ask:

• Leave a review on Amazon — it helps Danni's message reach more people who need it.
• Share it. Especially with anyone who's navigating addiction in their family. This book can be the light someone's been praying for.

Create your own memorial custom cuff

At Redd Dott Jewelry, we believe memories deserve to be crafted into keepsakes. Whether it's ashes, writing, fabrics, or symbols, your personalized cuff bracelet can become a sacred vessel of remembrance.