Scrapbooking as therapy

Many people first start scrapbooking to record their memories after the death of a loved one or other significant loss in their life, and most will tell you that the process helped them with their grieving.

Journalling our memories (especially soon after a painful loss) often invokes tears and sadness, but this is an important part of grieving, and something that is sometimes suppressed. Looking at photos of those we have lost also reminds us of happy times and occassions, and these are just as important to remember and record.

Personally, I find scrapbooking to be a wonderful therapy. It helps me to process my feelings openly and remember the little things that may otherwise be forgotten. The following two layouts are several years old, but they still make me smile (and cry) whenever I look at them and remember my lost loves.

The first is a tribute to my beloved dog, Chevvy. The photograph isn't perfect, but it doesn't need to be, the journalling says it all.

I hand cut the title with a craft knife - a Fiskars FingerTip Knife would be perfect for this ! And on the theme of making your own embellishments, I made the quote transperancy myself by typing my quote into several text boxes in MSWord, changing the fonts and overlapping them till I was happy with the way it looked. Then, I printed it onto a transperancy ~ easy !

Journalling reads:

You came into my life when I rescued you from a home where you were unloved and unwanted. The thing is, that not only did I rescue you, but you rescued me too ! You see, you came to me right when I needed you most.

Before you, I lived on my own and was often very lonely. With you in my life, I had someone to talk to and someone to hug. No matter what, you were always there to listen to me or comfort me.

We went everywhere together. You had your own little bag that I would carry you in, and when we went on the bus or into shops, you would hide in the bag until it was 'safe' for me to unzip it and let you poke your head out. Sometimes we went to visit my friend Terry, and he would pick us up on his motorbike. You would happily sit nestled inside my jacket for the ride.

Everywhere I went - you went too. The only place you didn't come with me was to work or out to dinner. Whenever I left you home alone you would express your anger by tipping over the bin and spreading its contents all over the floor.

You were so loyal and so loving, and the day you died was one of the saddest of my life. I couldn't bear to lose you forever, so I had you cremated. My friend Amber then made me a teddy bear and stored your urn inside. To some that may seem morbid, but for me, it allows me to still have you there to hug whenever I feel lonely.

You weren't my pet Chevvy - you were my best friend. I will love and miss you forever.

Love Mum xoxoxo

---ooOoo--

And this is a layout that I scraplifted and completed after the death of my darling grandfather (original can be seen here). Around the photo are questions that I would ask my grandfather if he were able to answer me now. The photo flips open to reveal the journalling and the thank you card from my grandpa's funeral.

There are no embellishments on this layout, just a patchwork of different papers glued to a backing sheet of cardstock and machine stitched randomly. The title and questions were printed onto patterned paper and positioned onto the page prior to gluing.

Journalling reads:

Grandpa,

It's been six months since you left us, and I miss you. When I go to mum's I still expect to see you shuffle out of your room and hear you say hello in your cheery voice, but you're not there.

For as much as I miss you, I am glad that you are no longer in pain. Seeing you in your last days was heartbreaking, and I hope now that you are now at peace.

I imagine that you are in Heaven with Grandma, and that the two of you are holding hands and watching over us all.

Though you may be gone, you will always be in my heart and my memory. There are so many little things that remind me of you. The songs 'Unforgettable' and 'Smile' by Nat King Cole still bring tears to my eyes. They were the songs that we had played at your funeral. We knew you loved Nat, and these songs seemed so appropriate.

So, until I see you again, remember that I love you...for in the words of Nat King Cole you are

"Unforgettable in everyway, and forever more that's how you'll stay".

Love always, your grandaughter, Cindy xoxo 2-4-05

So, if you know someone who (or you, yourself) needs some help coming to terms with a significant loss, I sincerely encourage you to scrapbook as therapy.

Cindy