Making Every Page Count.

One of my efforts this new year is to re-evaluate my approach to scrapbooking - to return to the more thoughtful, heartfelt, creative process that initially made me fall in love with this hobby. And while my heart will always go pitter-patter for new and amazing supplies, I don't want them to be the sole focus of my process. It's the memories and emotions captured on each page that are ultimately going to mean the most to me, and I really want each layout to be a reflection of that.

I recently received a sympathy card from the veterinarian that took care of Vegas during her illness, with this sentiment inside the card:

Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you...
I loved you so - 'twas Heaven here with you.

The subject of Vegas' death is still pretty emotional and raw for me, so I've tended to avoid thinking about it, as it brings back bittersweet emotions that are not always easy to process. But I don't always want my thoughts of Vegas to be of the difficult last days. I want to recall those moments of "Heaven" that this quote mentions. So I faced my sadness and set aside some time to go through old photos that spanned Vegas' life. In seeing those photos, I recalled so many wonderful memories..the surprise of her arrival as my birthday gift....the many mischievious hijinks that ensued with her and Harley in my tiny apartment...the snuggly, purring bundle that slept on my pillow each night....the loud meows that reminded us of her love for dinner time....the cross-country moves where she served as my co-pilot.  Those images made me smile, and it struck me -  this is why I scrapbook. To be transported to the happy times - the tender moments - the small minutes - that make life the rich, fulfilling, magical thing it is.

And so, I set out to create a page that captured just that. I gathered some favorite photos, a simple grouping of supplies, and the quote from the sympathy card. Eventually, I ended up with this:

S U P P L I E S :

The combination of photos + words + the little tangle of thread and buttons makes me remember my kitty and the happy minutes she brought to my days. Looking at this page, I can see beyond the sadness of her death.  The process was not an easy one, but perhaps that makes the result all the more meaningful.  I've created a page that portrays a piece of my heart. It reminds me of the sweetness (and fragility) of our moments here on earth.  And it brings on a flood of memories  - both happy and bittersweet - but that's the stuff of life, right? And yes, that is why I scrapbook.