I was fortunate to spend much of the weekend doing what I love, scrapbooking. I had a photo box full of cards and photos from family members and friends that shouted to be placed in their ‘homes’. Their ‘homes’ are the eight scrapbooks that are labeled “Family and Friends”. I started these albums years ago because I just could not bear to throw away the wonderful family and friend updates we received throughout the year. Each scrapbook is alphabetical with a section dedicated to the individual families and friends that have blessed us with their love and friendship. At the beginning of each family/friend section there is a little story about that family member or how we came to be friends with a particular person and their family.
This weekend, as I was updating two year’s worth of cards and photos, I was struck by the many “holes” found in my actual “family” section. It continues to be a rocky road for me and personal family relationships. I hold no hope of that ever changing. Whether it is a result of circumstance or my personal perspective or both, I have always felt like the “odd man out” in regards to personal family dynamics.
Although my situation with my family can be viewed from a variety of perspectives, it is still a ‘truth’ that they are still family. So when I view photos on Facebook or Flickr that have been posted by family members I cannot deny that the “odd man out” emotions trickle into my thoughts. Especially when I view a wedding reception photo labeled “all the siblings”. I want to go into cyberspace and re-label it “all the siblings – all but one”. Instead I “right click” and “save image as” and forward the photos to Walgreen’s for printing. The “holes” can be patched. You just have to be creative.
These are albums that I treasure. They speak of a history filled with people that have touched our lives. Some are updated every few years, others are updated every few months. Each section, no matter how long the time between updates, reminds me that being “connected” is as important to me as breathing.
These are albums that I treasure.
What do you do with the cards and photos that you get from friends and family?
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I wish that I had started scrapbooks years ago. Right now my goal is to scan in my hardcopy photos into digital files.
These books will no doubt be treasured family heirlooms for many years to come.
I keep some of the cards that I recieve, the ones that have special meaning for me. For instance, my daughter made me a card for Mother’s Day this year that I will long treasure. She had forgotten to buy one at the store when she was getting the ones for her grandmothers so she secretly got together the paper and supplies to make a very special booklet just for me. <3