Welcome to Our Website "DistantHugs.com"
I would like to share my story with you. I received the news of my daughter passing on into the spirit world late on a Sunday night. It is not news that you want to hear or believe. I cried for a long time and still do. I could not believe it. The next day I was talking with her mother and she had to make up her mind that day weather to give her a traditional funeral or cremation. I asked her if she would do something for me, if she decided to give her a traditional funeral, so I told her this story.
You see a few years ago I sent her a Christmas package for her and her children. She called me a few days later and said “Thank you Dad” for everything and then she went on to say “Dad, what’s with the scarf though”. I gave her a scarf, I know it sounds kind of different but I had an idea that day. I could not be there to hug her so I told her “put the scarf around your neck, flip one side over your shoulder and the other side over your other shoulder and that’s me hugging you”. There was silence for a little while, then she said “Dad, that is so sweet”. Little did I know that she shared that story with her friends. So I asked her mother to put that scarf around her so that she can feel my hugs as she goes on her journey, she did. There was a scarf around her. I shared this story with family members and friends that attended her funeral and many were touched and told me that they would do the same thing with their loved ones that live far away. We called it “Distant hugging”.
Pamela, now we call her Pamela’ba was a daughter, a mother, a sister, an auntie, a cousin and just a great friend. Her smile and laughter was so contagious. She was a beautiful woman and will be missed by so many. She leaves behind two daughters and a son also three brothers and a sister and a mother and a father and many relatives and great friends.
So a few weeks ago we asked our grandchildren what color scarfs they would like for Christmas and we sent them to them. I felt so good and felt that I was beginning to heal so we started a business and called it “Distant Hugs”.
So if you would like to give your loved ones a hug but can’t physically do it because of distance, send them a scarf like I did. It is a wonderful way to hug our loved ones.
We are praying that this tragic occurrence will help others and that more people will find ways to hug each other.
The Pheasant Family
You see a few years ago I sent her a Christmas package for her and her children. She called me a few days later and said “Thank you Dad” for everything and then she went on to say “Dad, what’s with the scarf though”. I gave her a scarf, I know it sounds kind of different but I had an idea that day. I could not be there to hug her so I told her “put the scarf around your neck, flip one side over your shoulder and the other side over your other shoulder and that’s me hugging you”. There was silence for a little while, then she said “Dad, that is so sweet”. Little did I know that she shared that story with her friends. So I asked her mother to put that scarf around her so that she can feel my hugs as she goes on her journey, she did. There was a scarf around her. I shared this story with family members and friends that attended her funeral and many were touched and told me that they would do the same thing with their loved ones that live far away. We called it “Distant hugging”.
Pamela, now we call her Pamela’ba was a daughter, a mother, a sister, an auntie, a cousin and just a great friend. Her smile and laughter was so contagious. She was a beautiful woman and will be missed by so many. She leaves behind two daughters and a son also three brothers and a sister and a mother and a father and many relatives and great friends.
So a few weeks ago we asked our grandchildren what color scarfs they would like for Christmas and we sent them to them. I felt so good and felt that I was beginning to heal so we started a business and called it “Distant Hugs”.
So if you would like to give your loved ones a hug but can’t physically do it because of distance, send them a scarf like I did. It is a wonderful way to hug our loved ones.
We are praying that this tragic occurrence will help others and that more people will find ways to hug each other.
The Pheasant Family
Samson Pheasant Memorial Scholarship
February 16, 2016
Last week I traveled to my community of Wikwemikong 1st nation to participate in my Son’s funeral. This is my second child that I have lost since 2012. It has been a very stressful time for my whole family. When I spoke to my community, I thanked them for what they have done for my grandchildren after my daughter walked on into the spirit world. My son’s name was Samson Pheasant; he was a Father of two and Stepfather of one, ages 14, 9, and 6. My son died in his sleep, but was very sick recently; his son found him on Sunday, February 7th.
My son was a computer graphic designer for Wikwemikong 1st nation, using modern technology in many ways. He also taught classes about what technology can do for the community. He was also a great hockey player; he was a goalie and played in both Michigan and Ontario. He was ranked as the number one goalie in Michigan when he was 14 and 15 years old. When he moved back home he continued playing the game and took the Wikwemikong teams to many championships.
With that said, I have created a memorial scholarship in my son’s name. I called the Youth Center in Wikwemikong that run the sports programs and activities and we designed the scholarship that would sponsor a goalie each year by paying for the registration fee. We are calling it the “Samson Pheasant Memorial Scholarship”.
We are accepting contributions/donations through “Distant Hugs”, which was established in memory of my daughter. I have set up a sub-account for the scholarship through “Distant Hugs” and hope to keep my son’s memory alive while providing other native athletes with an opportunity to experience what my son loved to do.
Miigwech,
Kenny Neganigwane Pheasant
Last week I traveled to my community of Wikwemikong 1st nation to participate in my Son’s funeral. This is my second child that I have lost since 2012. It has been a very stressful time for my whole family. When I spoke to my community, I thanked them for what they have done for my grandchildren after my daughter walked on into the spirit world. My son’s name was Samson Pheasant; he was a Father of two and Stepfather of one, ages 14, 9, and 6. My son died in his sleep, but was very sick recently; his son found him on Sunday, February 7th.
My son was a computer graphic designer for Wikwemikong 1st nation, using modern technology in many ways. He also taught classes about what technology can do for the community. He was also a great hockey player; he was a goalie and played in both Michigan and Ontario. He was ranked as the number one goalie in Michigan when he was 14 and 15 years old. When he moved back home he continued playing the game and took the Wikwemikong teams to many championships.
With that said, I have created a memorial scholarship in my son’s name. I called the Youth Center in Wikwemikong that run the sports programs and activities and we designed the scholarship that would sponsor a goalie each year by paying for the registration fee. We are calling it the “Samson Pheasant Memorial Scholarship”.
We are accepting contributions/donations through “Distant Hugs”, which was established in memory of my daughter. I have set up a sub-account for the scholarship through “Distant Hugs” and hope to keep my son’s memory alive while providing other native athletes with an opportunity to experience what my son loved to do.
Miigwech,
Kenny Neganigwane Pheasant
Daddy’s Girl
We thought that we would share this with you. September 16, 2012 is when we lost our girl. This song is very moving and we can relate to the story. A young man wanted to be with his daughter at Christmastime but could not. He told her that he felt very sad that he could not see her, so she asked him to send her a song. Much like me, I could not be with my daughter last Christmas so I sent her a hug. She still “My Daddy’s Girl”. I miss her so much.
Daddy's Girl (a song by North Bear)
Daddy's Girl (a song by North Bear)
The Four RosesWe thought that we would share this with you also. The day before my daughter’s funeral I was visiting with my granddaughters and my older granddaughter “Santana” noticed that someone miss-spelled my daughter’s name on her grave marker so I told her that it was just temporary and that I would bring her a headstone on Mother’s day with the correct information. She said “Can I have my artwork put on it also” and I said “Of course.” After she sent it to me I noticed that on one corner were four different colored roses and I asked her about the roses because I have seen them before. She said Mom had them as a tattoo on her ankle, the four roses represented her and her three children.
So in this poem are four roses that remind me of my daughter “Pamela-ba” and her little family. Call someone that you love today, don’t send a text, or Email, call them and listen to the sound of their voice. I can never hear my daughter’s voice again. The Pheasant Family |
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Local Business Sends Distant Hugs to Sandy Hook Families
January 7, 2013 -- Megan Moore of TV 7&4 has posted an article and video about Distant Hugs on UpNorthLive.com.
"Kenny Pheasant is the owner of Distant Hugs in Traverse City. Distant Hugs are embroidered scarves that people can send to friends and loved ones who are too far away to give a hug to." [Read the full article and watch the video...]
"Kenny Pheasant is the owner of Distant Hugs in Traverse City. Distant Hugs are embroidered scarves that people can send to friends and loved ones who are too far away to give a hug to." [Read the full article and watch the video...]
Distant Hugs for Princess Lacey's Family
We were very moved by the story of Princess Lacey and how the MSU Basketball team came together to make her their little mascot. We thought that they made her feel so special. Now she has gone to her place and we would like the family and the basketball player Adrien to feel our hugs at this time. [Full story on 7&4 website...]
The Pheasant Family
The Pheasant Family
