Sunday 6 February 2011

Storytelling Sunday- a memory preserved.

I'm not much of a storyteller......unlike Sian who tells wonderful stories........and writes thought provoking posts.......and wants us to join in 'Storytelling Sunday here.
I scrapbook happy events......birthday events.....holiday events.....momentous events.......christmas events.......I never scrapbook sad events.
Of course........this means I'm only telling half the story........only preserving half the memories.
I came across this photo.......a happy day......but it brought back sad memories......and reminded me of a little story.
The story is about my youngest daughter and my youngest brother......it's a scrapbook page for her......to go in her album.......to preserve her memories.

The journaled story reads-
'When this picture was taken, Andrew was already dying - a happy day in Johnny's garden- was the last photo of us all together. You were 6 when he died,Holly - and for months after you would sometimes wake at night crying - and you'd say "I'm sad about Andrew" or "I miss Andrew" or "I wish Andrew was here"
Gran had told you that he was now a star in the sky watching over us - and we would go to the window, and you'd look up at the stars, and point to one and say "That's Andrew looking down on us" and then you'd go back to bed and back to sleep.
I hope you never forget him'
A memory preserved

34 comments:

Kathyk said...

It's certainly much harder to scrap certain memories and you wouldn't want to not have them so well done Jacky - on your lovely, poignant page.

Kathyk

JO SOWERBY said...

i agree with kathyk when she says it's important to remember and record the sad stories as well as the good. this is so perfectly written and a lovely story of ur daughter's love for ur brother,
Jo xxxx

Jane said...

a lovely way to preserve such a sad memory x

Jimjams said...

Lovely scrapbooking - it's important to preserve even sad stories. TFS

humel said...

Beautiful page, Jacky. I can imagine that it must have been a difficult one to scrap, but you've done it so beautifully. Well done you for being brave enough to tell - and share - this story xx

Cheri said...

very sweet and poignant. and great that it is preserved.

Rhona said...

Your page turned out beautifully and I'm sure it's a memory your daughter will be glad you've preserved for her. I imagine it was a difficult page to complete but by doing it you've kept Andrew in her life forever. Well done. xx

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

This is what I love the most about scrapbooking - the ability to document a memory so sweetly. Well done, Jacky. xo

Margi said...

What a beautiful memory to keep for all of us. We also have lots of stars in the sky watching over us, there are days driving to work in the dark that I find my Dads and feel the best comfort of all. Oh if I could reach across that pond and hug you right now I would. Thank you for reminding me of our most precious memories!

Ruth said...

You've told this story beautifully, thank you for sharing.

Sarpreet said...

hi there, such a gorgeous sweet page

debs14 said...

A sad story wonderfully preserved for the future. I hope that she has happy memories when she is grown up and that this page helps her remember him.

Denise said...

This is what scrapbooking is all about isn't it?- memories, be they sad or happy. Thanks for sharing your layout,it's lovely xxx

Heather said...

what a lovely page Jacky & I hope you enjoyed making it even if it was painful to remember the sadness of that day xx

Becky said...

A poignant page, but one that needs to be recorded as it is part of your family's story. Thank you for sharing this very special memory.

Katie Berberich Handmade said...

What a lovely page Jacky, very touching. It's so important to scrap the sad bits as much as it is to scrap the happy.
Well done you for creating such a beautiful layout.
Katie x

Sian said...

Really beautiful Jacky - very, very well worth doing.

I never thought of myself as a storyteller at all (that was always my Grandpa's job!) until I started the blog. It is all of you who have encouraged me :)

furrypig said...

That is a really beautiful LO that preserves some precious memories for you and your family xxx

Melissa said...

How wonderful that you have preserved this memory for your daughter. I love the stars on the layout!!

Elizabeth said...

Don't kid yourself,you are a story teller. Your telling brought a tear to my eye and that's what stories are all about--emotions.

Kristin said...

Jacky, I am sorry you have that memory but as you said the memory is now preserved so very nicely, well done!That's why I love scrap booking, it makes me take more pictures and journal more moments than before, so I can always remember, the good and the bad:) Hugs to you.

Lynn Mercurio said...

What a lovely story that you have preserved for your daughter. While sometimes sad memories are difficult to relive, by remembering all parts of life, we keep those we love close at heart. Good for you for sharing the memories...happy and sad.

Cheryl said...

Well done to you Jacky I know scrapping sad memories is hard but as Lynn says it keeps those we love close, Thanks for sharing x

Ginger said...

I'm sure your daughter is thankful for this layout and your words that came with it. Thank you for sharing this story.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Oh Jacky, what a powerful story. And lovely at the same time. Thanks for sharing.
Rinda

Anonymous said...

Jacky what a wonderful way of remembering that time for you and your daughter.

Ila said...

What a Absolutely Beautiful page..and the way you have documented is is Wonderful!! TFS!!..Hugs, Ila

Sugar Lump Studios said...

Jacky
I love your scrapbook page and how you document things. It really is important for us to do. It has been so long since I scrapped...you have given me inspiration to get my heritage albums going again! thank you! :)

Anonymous said...

So often I think we avoid the painful memories when we scrap. This surely is painful, but beautifully told and presented.

alexa said...

I'm touched by the way you've told this story for Holly, Jacky - simply, beautifully, leaving for her to discover a bit of her life she may not remember so very clearly when she is grown-up. A great gift to give her ...

Anonymous said...

I can only second what Alexa wrote - that this part of your daughter's life is as important as the good times that she will remember. What's good about this page is that although it may seem sad, it was a part of her childhood & as such should be documented...as you have done so well :)

Miriam said...

This is lovely Jackie and a wonderful thing for Holly. x

SallyB said...

Beautiful!
It bought a lump to my throat...
Well Done.xxx

SarahLP said...

Wow, that's such a moving page.. it must have been hard to do but so worthwhile. Thanks for sharing it.