Family Concerns

When we think of scrapbooking, often times we think of layouts that focus on holidays, weddings, births and special events in our lives that we want to preserve. These are days that bring smiles to our faces and laughter to our hearts. As natural as this may be to choose such occasions for our scrapbooking themes, sometimes we miss out on an experience to use our creative outlet to express our thoughts and feelings about those difficult moments in our lives that are inevitable.

When we stop and think about the pain we have suffered, whether through the loss of a loved one or any other traumatic event, these are all part of what forms us into the people we have become. So often we choose to hide our problems instead of embracing them to find the hidden treasures that are often overlooked.

Immediately after the birth of my second child, I was diagnosed with severe post-partum depression. My troubled marriage that was filled with chaos was coming to an end. The situations that led me to the place of complete hopelessness were overwhelming at best. As part of my recovery, I began to write down my thoughts and feelings about each event that took place. What began as an struggle to sort through the pain, evolved into a full visual expression of raw emotion and the spiritual journey that accompanied my experiences. Although not your average scrapbooking theme, it is one that played a vital role for me in finding peace and healing.

Piecing it all together with photographs, carefully selected scrapbook paper and just the right stamping and embellishments gave each painful recollection a sense of validation. It was like placing a mirror up to my wounded heart and saying, ‘Yes, that is what I felt. Right or wrong, good or bad. These emotions are mine.’ To be able to openly express myself this way and to have a visual reminder has made it easier to let go of the pain, forgive and move toward healing.

My scrapbook album, titled ‘A Journey Through Life’s Challenges’ does not sit on my coffee table out on display. Instead, it sits on the desk in my office, waiting for times, sometimes through tears, when I need a reminder of where I’ve been to truly be grateful for where I am today.