"What's Up" and "Grandma's Hands" by Jen
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 3:00AM (Don't forget that your own projects need to be linked up under the original challenge post, though, okay? To be eligible for the awesome Prism prize, you need to link us up by August 25th.)
For a little change to the pace, today we have two layouts. :) Jen created one for her aunt and one for her grandma. By the way, notice that the first layout has no pictures. I've spoken with many people who have lost loved ones but hesitate to scrapbook because they lack pictures. While pictures are to be treasured, the stories are just as important...so please include them, even if you have no photos, okay? Here, then, are the layouts and what Jen had to say:
;)
I struggled for awhile to pick a song that would capture Katherine and what she meant to me. I considered one of her favorites by Melissa Etheridge, one that was played at her funeral, or one that had a message that seemed to capture who she was & what she stood for ... and decided none of them would be ‘right’. I eventually decided I would pick one highlighting one of my favorite memories of her. I didn’t have a picture of the occasion, so figured the journaling would have to tell the story in great detail. I wanted the lyrics to What’s Up to be like patterned paper, without the focus on the words, but as an embellishment. The lyrics are printed repeatedly.
This is the first layout I’ve done since losing her in June. I was amazed at how therapeutic this was, remembering the good times, and moving beyond the grief and emotions I’ve experienced in the past few months. I was brought to tears quite a few times while working on this – but was left with a smile at the finished layout. Which is exactly what Katherine would have wanted.
Journaling reads: No picture exists of the day, but the details remain etched in my memory like it was yesterday. It was a sunny summer day in 1993, we were in her black Volkswagen Jetta, bumper sticker stuck on the back with a simple message that was ‘so’ Katherine: Question Authority. Just the two of us, driving through Lake Sammamish State Park, reveling in the simple pleasures of summer: kids playing at the beach, tanned teenagers getting ready for a volleyball game, searching for cute boys because that’s what being 15 was all about. The sunroof was open and the windows were down; the wind blew through our hair. And the 4 Non Blondes’ song "What’s Up" blared on the radio: it was a perfect summer moment with my aunt who was so much more than an aunt, but was the older sister I never had.
Looking back, I’m now able to identify some life lessons I learned on that beautiful day: the importance of making memories, enjoying the simple pleasures, laughing and having fun while experiencing life. Sometimes you just need to roll the windows down, crank the radio up, and sing along at the top of your lungs as though it didn’t matter if anyone saw you.
I’m not sure she remembered that trip through the park like I do, but it sticks out as one of my fondest memories with Kath. In my teenage way of showing love, I later made her a tape of songs from that summer, and of course "What’s Up" was included... it was now one of “our” songs. I don’t know why we were driving around, where we were originally going, just that we would end up cruising the park, and I would look back on that summer day with great fondness, cherishing the memories we made nearly sixteen years ago.
No, I don’t have a picture of that occasion, but I have a memory that I’ll never, ever forget. And of course whenever "What’s Up" comes on the radio, I do what she did: turn the stereo up, sing along at the top of my lungs and smile, knowing that she’s in heaven, singing along with me.
;)
After I finished my What’s Up layout, I decided to complete a layout honoring my Grandma. I already had this picture, which I printed shortly after she passed away in 2006, but had never scrapped. I had wanted to make sure I gave the moment justice, and to be honest, scrapping a picture that triggered so much emotion, was pretty difficult. My good friend Erika wrote a song several years back titled Grandma’s Hands – and as I looked at the picture, I realized this song was perfect. I also ended up reading the lyrics to my Grandma in her final days, as it did speak to me, so it really was a perfect song for this layout. The last two verses seemed to ring the most to me, so they were highlighted in the layout.
Journaling reads: 'Grandma's Hands' is one of my favorite songs of Erika's ... it always has been. And when I was called to say goodbye to Grandma, I was reminded of the song. She didn't look like herself, laying in the ICU, but her hands, although swollen, were the same: freckles, fair skin, filed nails. I wanted to document the moment, knowing it was one of the last.
And I love to hold my Grandma's Hands...
I also included the lyrics to my friend Erika Wright's song, "Grandma's Hands":
Someone so special
No one could do, what she’s done
So many children
And only one Mom
But she holds her head up high
And she keeps the faith inside
Her hands are full of strength
All the gentle touch of an angel
And love is always in her eyes
Despite all the pain that may be inside
Her hands are full of strength
Happy days may have seemed
Few and far between
So much heartache
That dreams were hard to reach
But she holds her head up high
And she keeps the faith inside
Her hands are full of strength
All the gentle touch of an angel
And love is always in her eyes
Despite all the pain that may be inside
Her hands are full of strength
And I love to hold my Grandma’s Hands
So soft and calmI am at peace
And I knowI know she loves me so
Oh when I hold her hands of strength
Her hands are full of strength
All the gentle touch of an angel
And love is always in her eyes
Despite all the pain that may be inside
Her hands are full of strength
Reader Comments (9)
These both convey so much emotion, Jen, not only with the lyrics you chose, but your journaling too.
Love the stories here, Jen! Wish I'd met these beautiful women...they sound amazing!
What wonderful tributes to your aunt and grandma! The LO on your aunt is especially moving, as, even though you don't have photos, no one can take away your memories, and now you have your memories printed on paper.
What a wonderful idea for a blog! I have a friend who would always scold me when I'd say Good Grief, she'd say grief isn't good. I think she was wrong, grief helps one to heal. I lost my mom 31 years ago and though I've healed now and celebrate her memory, I'd never thought about scrapbooking my feelings and memories. Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh, Jen. Both of these layouts are amazing. {{{{HUGS}}}} to you!
Your stories are all so wonderful about your loved ones. Such fond memories and sad ones too! Hugs to all of you!
Beautiful layouts!
Jen, these are lovely tributes to Katharine and Grandma Finnegan. They were both such special people!
Jen, Thank you for doing these layouts, I miss them both so much. Those hands were so soft, and Katherines energy was so great. You captured both so well.