| It is terrible to lose a family member (or in some | | | | longer be with us four months later, I don't think I |
| cases pets) and most of us have had to suffer | | | | would have made that album. In the end, I'm glad |
| such a loss. Everyone grieves differently. Some | | | | I did though, because it is a documentation of his |
| people can express their grief and overcome it | | | | whole life. Now, the rest of the family can look at |
| quicker than others who find it difficult to grieve | | | | it from time to time and remember him and what |
| and express their feelings. What I have found, is | | | | a wonderful person he was. It helped me to |
| that it scrapbooking can help heal when suffering | | | | make the album. I was able to grieve immediately |
| a loss. It can provide a little bit of closure and help | | | | when he died and although I sometimes still cry, |
| you to grieve in a more productive way, because | | | | the pain just gets to be less each time. |
| what you're doing with scrapbooking is not only | | | | If you are a scrapbooker, then you might even |
| displaying photos, you are telling a story, talking | | | | know what I'm talking about. I guess I somehow |
| about your feelings and sharing your pain, even if | | | | sensed it was going to help me get over my pain, |
| you don't show it to anyone. | | | | like a kind of instinct. People that have difficulties |
| I didn't realize what a healing effect scrapbooking | | | | speaking to someone about their grief and pain |
| had until my cat died and my father-in-law died. | | | | now have a way to express their feelings without |
| First, my cat Pooky died of an apparent heart | | | | being really forced emotionally to talk about it with |
| attack when he was 16 years old. I was lucky | | | | someone. No one else has to see your layout or |
| enough to be with him when he died, as I would | | | | album. That is entirely up to you. But, if you do |
| have felt very guilty if I hadn't been at home. The | | | | want to "talk" about it, all you have to do is show |
| very next day, I started a mini album as a tribute | | | | it to someone. |
| to my cat. I made it so special, remembering all | | | | Can't figure out what to express in your layout? |
| the little details about him, the silly things he used | | | | Take the best photo of the person or animal, and |
| to do, what I miss about him and how big he was | | | | / or a photo together with you. That is the first |
| (a regular Garfield). After I had finished the album, | | | | step. Choose your cardstock, patterned paper to |
| I realized that, hey, that really helped me. I don't | | | | match the photo and set the mood. Then you |
| feel as bad as the first few days after he died. I | | | | might want to write a little something. You can |
| believe that I was able to deal with his death | | | | right about what you liked best about them, the |
| much quicker than if I had not scrapped about it. | | | | funny things they did that made you laugh, what |
| My father-in-law died last year of a rare internal | | | | you miss about them, what their favourite color, |
| melanoma cancer at the age of 75. This was | | | | food, animal, hobby was, or just what made |
| about four months after his birthday. For his | | | | them so special to you. If you want, you can |
| birthday present, I had the idea to make a huge | | | | write about how much it hurts you, how losing |
| scrapbook of his life and career. I spent long | | | | this person has affected you. I know it's tough, |
| weeks making the album just perfect. I loved this | | | | but it might just help you with your grieving and |
| man dearly. It was such a joy to see him looking | | | | with a little bit of the pain. It feels good to get it |
| at it and how much he appreciated me making it | | | | out and down on paper and if it's something |
| for him. He was overwhelmed and I think I made | | | | creative, then all the better. You will feel good |
| him smile for the first time that day. We thought | | | | about creating something, about writing down |
| the cancer had gone away, but I was sceptical. | | | | your feelings and about remembering good times |
| I've known so many people with cancer and I | | | | with that person. |
| just know that many times there is no cure. It | | | | I hope this idea will be able to help you with your |
| made me proud to make him happy, even if only | | | | loss. I can only speak from experience. It helped |
| for a moment. Had I known that he would no | | | | me a lot. |