With so many beautiful photos and so many tidbits of information and quite a few stories, it was tough to organize a photo album for Africa... to get it all in. I've been working on it for weeks, first taking over the kitchen table, then adding a card table to the mix. Eric has been great, only rolling his eyes occasionally, and making a brief comment about the second table. But it was important to me. I have not scrapbooked in two years... since just after the beginning of this blog, since taking a year round job. And while being buried in the mess this time around... the strips of paper, scraps of photos... I realize how much I miss it. I put together a quick digital album at Walgreens, and while I love the way it turned out, there is something about that creative mess that appeals to me. One of these days... I am going to get back to my family albums.
Yesterday, as I was finishing up the last few pages of the Africa album, I fell to tears. Not just the slip-down-your-face-almost-unnoticed kind, but the shoulder-wrenching-sobbing kind. My Mom warned me by text message last week... but I didn't really think it would happen, at least not these strong tears. But it was like leaving Africa all over again. I have yet to sit and read the album cover to cover... the anticipation may be worse than the reality, but just the thought of re-reading the blog posts I included has my insides shaking.
So, it is done... with the exception of five blog posts yet to write. That is not a promise that there are only five Africa posts left in me... that is just what I left room for, planned for. This morning my Mom is going to come over so I can share it with her. I hope she didn't put her make-up on yet...
8 comments :
Awwww....you are such an emotional girl. I had no idea. :)
I was dropping some tears just reading about YOU crying. Emotional who?
Glad you are almost done with your book.
xoxo
Suz
When you come to Iowa for your farm safari, you will have to bring your scrapbook. I'd love to see it. :)
I'm sure your scrapbook is amazing and captures so many things you don't want to forget. And that can be emotional.
Would love to see some snapshots of your (I'm sure) beautiful book! : )
Wow, Dawn. You may have left Africa, but it's obvious that Africa will never leave you.
I'm glad that this trip caused you to make a trip back to scrapbooking. This was really a once-in-a-lifetime occasion; it's only right that you've given it its due.
I hope you and your Mom had a great time looking at the scrapbook. Now I want to come over and take a look, too. I've seen a lot of the pictures; I'd like to read the words you put with them and see how you put it together. Just another little piece of your heart now, baby.
I loved what you have shared with us so far-it was a trip of a lifetime-so amazing!
I am so glad you had this oppritunity to go with you mom-and kids-
Hello my friend - I finally had a chance to look at some of the pictures you posted without a crying baby on my lap. How amazing. How wonderful. How special for you. Laura's pictures are just beautiful -and I know your scrapbook album will turn out wonderful (no more rolling eyes, Eric!) LOL!
Looking forward to those next 5 posts ...
Wow, that's an amazing picture! And I second what Erin says -- when you come to Nebraska, you better bring that album with you!!
So glad you made a scrapbook of this--it will be a treasure. And I imagine it was cathartic to relive and sum up and capture. I made a scrapbook for Aidan's life, and it was emotional and healing and needed to be done. This is different, but yet similar...there might be a little grieving that your trip is over...but you will never forget.
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