Here's a few more journal pages I've made recently.
The one below is about my sweet mom....I was thinking of my visit with her on Saturday....gearing myself up for it Friday evening last week. I start thinking about what we'll do for the afternoon while I'm with her. Usually its lunch out and having her hair done. Sometimes my sisters and I take her to a local park and walk thru the trails in the woods. She seems to love this and asks to go back often.
She always seems so shocked when I walk in the door..as if she forgot about me until that very moment...then it seems like pure surprise and happiness to her. I don't think she has thoughts of me or my sisters during the week...out of sight...out of mind...but she knows us when we're with her...and she is just so giddy and happy the entire time. I often wonder if she'll call me by name.....and sometimes she does...
It's been two years now since she's been in assisted living, with the last year she's needed assistance with almost everything connected to daily skills. Dressing.....eating, everything. At first we were so depressed and sad over her diagnosis....but the pain has eased....for the most part. I'm still so sad about what she's lost...and what me and my siblings have lost. I see active vibrant seniors and wish it could be my mom. I also know first hand what it's like to loose your mother (my mother in law) and how my husband would give anything just to have his mother for one more day.
One of these days I'll do a page dedicated to my mom that's not related to her illness. It's not that I really need to document this.....believe me...it's something I'll never forget.
Now...on to other pages! I've been following along in Teresa's "Journal of Interest" e-zine. I'm having a great time trying new things. The picture below was a challenge to draw something without looking at your paper. I totally ignored the prompt for a few days because there was no way I'd draw something without looking. I finally pushed myself to do it and was shocked at the way the bird came out. It looks nothing like the one I used as a model.....(a print on the wall) but the fact that I could see that it was a bird shocked me. I started at the top beak and worked my way around the head, and body...when it came time to circle around the bottom for the belly I had the BIGGEST URGE to look.....I kept on until I couldn't stand it anymore and I peeked. So right about the spot where the bottom beak is where I finished it off while looking. I added the details etc while looking of course! I also journaled around the drawing. About certain teenage kids that think they know it all....ahem!
I see that I set this page down in a blob of pink paint. That's ok......I don't care that there's a little blob of pink in the middle of the text!
Here I used some of the vintage ephemera that Beth sent to me.....and some bits and pieces of fabric that I had laying on my desk.
So another Friday is upon me...and again I think of my mom and what adventures we'll have tomorrow when I visit her with my sister (it's always a duel visit...she gets "two kids for the price of one" and my sisters and I get to visit with each other more than we ever have!
Have a fun, creative, treasure filled weekend!
The journaling book about your mom and her illness is so touching. It's a great thing to do, as well. It's good to document your feelings and thoughts, especially in that sort of situation.
I'm impressed with your bird! It's perfectly lovely!
Kari
Posted by: Kari Hayes | July 29, 2009 at 04:20 PM
Wonderful work, my friend. Adorable!
xx
Becky
Posted by: Sweet Cottage Dreams | July 19, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Just saw this now. It's BEAUTIFUL! A beautiful tribute to your sweet Mom and SO creative. I also love your quote "Create and Have fun". Good to remember. Have a wonderful week!
Angie
Posted by: Angie | July 19, 2009 at 09:22 AM
You drew the bird without looking!! I couldn't draw that well if I was looking. It looks like you're having a great time with your journaling- I love all the different things you done- the collage, drawing, painting, lettering.
Posted by: Beth Leintz | July 18, 2009 at 05:17 PM
oops typo!!!
I meant I was 34 when my mother passed away 17 years ago
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | July 18, 2009 at 04:02 AM
Love your journal.
So difficult for you to see your Mom's personality slipping away. Yet you are so lucky to still have her. My mother passed away when I was 17 years ago at just 66 years of age. I miss her every day - cherish the time you have with her because whne you lose them completely it is devastating.
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | July 18, 2009 at 04:00 AM
I'm with you, hand in hand. I don't know that it will get any easier, but it is all ok when they smile their smiles at us. xo<3
Posted by: Rosa | July 18, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Loving your pages - I still think we need to get together to journal!
Posted by: hope | paper relics | July 17, 2009 at 10:46 PM
It is so nice you have each other to lean on. My cousin, whose mom had alzheimers, was an only child and luckily married into a supportive family. We tried hard to support her but we were 3,000 miles away.
Before my dad passed, he had many small strokes and was mentally almost unable to function, most of his talking made no sense but he still remembered my mom, me, hubby and kids...I remember how difficult it was to see him slipping!
My best to you and your sisters...planning little outings always helped with us! hugs! karen....
Posted by: karen | July 17, 2009 at 10:41 PM
You've posted a very moving, lovely message... my thoughts are with you and your Mother... I know how much you must enjoy each and every minute of your wonderful visits with her. I am so very blessed, my parents and I are so close, we live just 7 homes away from each other! It makes for beautiful days! Have a wonderful time and I really enjoyed your creative journal pages... they are amazing! :))))
Hugs,
Christina
Posted by: Christina Jackson | July 17, 2009 at 10:15 PM
your journal pages are wonderful Robin...this journal craze is kind of making me want to do one too...i am just NOT a doodler though, so i think i would get frustrated...i admire how you paint the backgrounds for your pages, they look SO pretty!!!
Posted by: Lori | July 17, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Charming, just charming!~~~XXOO, Beth
Posted by: Elizabeth Holcombe | July 17, 2009 at 07:32 AM