I Lost My Husband

[jonipossin]

I don't know if you even remember me... it's been so many months since I was on Designer Digitals. If you do, you might remember all the hospital stays my husband Boyd had last year. You were all so supportive! Boyd was doing well and regrouping and then Jan 4th I woke to find him dead on the floor of the den where he had stayed up to watch a late movie. My daughters arrived from Chicago and Phoenix before evening and they stayed a week. There is a lot of missing time during that period.

I havent scrapped since before my December Daily album and haven't taken a photo until yesterday. Time to join the living!! I'd like to work on an album about Boyd but just don't know where to begin.

Any creative thoughts to share? I need a nudge!
Hugs,
Joni Possin

[justmp]

Joni, my heart breaks for you. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[kaleidoscope]

Sorry for your loss.

Maybe a book of favorite memories? There's a memorial quote you could use on the title page that goes "When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure."

[susiecw]

First, I want to tell you how very, very sorry I am that you lost Boyd. My sympathies and prayers go out to you and your family. I am glad you are ready to "join the living," but I can certainly understand how difficult it is.

Here is a link to Carollee's gallery. She has been making a surprise book for her husband. Maybe her pages will give you the nudge you need.
07- Name - Digital Scrapbooking Ideas - DesignerDigitals

But, in the meantime, remember that there is much love and support for you here at DD. Again, prayers lifted for you and your family.

Susie

[katie pertiet]

I am so so sorry to hear that you've lost your Boyd, Joni. I can only imagine how difficult the past few months have been for you. But I'm glad you've come back to the support of your friends here. My heart goes out to you.

[Scrapbird]

Joni, I am so sorry. This has to be so difficult, and I'm glad to see you ready to take your first steps back to living. Making a book about Boyd could be very healing. Please share with us and let us support you as you go.

[grandma lynnie]

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss, Joni. I can understand that making such a book could be difficult, but it will also be an important part of your "rejoining the living."

I'm sure you must have some special photos of Boyd. How about pulling them out and seeing what special memories they trigger, and start there scrapping these memories. Scrapping the little things is always important.

I admire you for being ready to rejoin life, no matter how hard it is. The DD community would love to help you as you move into this new phase of your life. Thanks for including us.

[dorah]

OMG, I am so sorry for your loss. I have discovered this is a great place and a great craft to aid in the healing process. Maybe the place to start is the place where you are - make a list of things you want to tell your gc (if you have any) or stories about him you want to remember and record and go from there.

[Chris]

This is so sad, please accept my sympathies.

I am going to be taking a class with Anna Aspnes very shortly, with the idea of putting together an album, so my whole outlook might change after that class, but up to this point I've been writing short snippets of my life with my husband about our years together (53 this year). The short stories are a bit long for a scrapbook page, and besides for me, doing them as such would change my writing somehow, so I've been just putting them in a journal - no particular order, and I'll probably add small photos.

At the same time I've been arranging our old photos (mostly from slides) into small slide shows of the different countries we've lived in. Although I have done many scrapbook pages, I rather like looking at the slide shows with the bigger pictures that blend from one to another and with music we loved playing in the background.

Okay so this isn't an album, but my grown daughters seem to enjoy the DVD's I've made, and reading the short stories that go with them. It's an on going process.

[digigrandma]

Of course, I remember you, Joni, and I am so very sorry to hear of your loss of your beloved Boyd. What a sad and life changing time this must be for you.....I'm so glad to have you back with us at DD where we can offer support and friendship.

Having never been in your shoes, I hesitate to give advice, but, maybe starting by simply assembling all the photos you would want to include in an album in one place would help you get organized and then just follow your heart....which photos speak to you the most....which photos have a story you want to preserve for your daughters and your grandchildren....but, don't pressure yourself....or feel you have to go in chronological order at this point.....create what brings you comfort at this time.

I'll be thinking of you, Joni. God bless.

[quilter422]

Joni, I am so sorry for your loss. Putting together an album will be a wonderful way for you to work through your grief and remember all the wonderful times you had together.

[Elena]

Of course we remember you Joni... SO sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to "rejoin the living." One day at a time and just keep breathing. I'm certain putting together an album together will help you through your grieving process. Take care. We're glad to see you back

[Jen D]

Joni I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that a little scrap therapy will do your heart some good. Very glad to see you back.

[jonipossin]

You are all soooooo sweet and warm! Of course the tears are running as I read your comments and suggestions but I know that is part of the process. I've avoided DD as I associated it with Boyd who was my biggest fan. I'm so, so happy that I took that step this morning to 'come home' to DD.
I love you all,
Joni

[FlowerGirl]

I'm so sorry for your Loss, Joni. I lost my husband to cancer four years ago and it took me awhile to 're-enter' society. I have a new man in my life today and things do get easier. Hang in there!

[Britgirl]

I'm so sorry. I know you cant even begin to think so, but time will make it easier. I am also a widow, remarried. Its a long road , and a tough road but you learn some good thing about yourself and your loved ones along the way.
try not to think your book plan nor your scrapping must follow a logic path right now. Instead keep a notepad in which you jot down memories, thoughts, feelings. note of the day, things people said, stories they share etc. then you will have something to form your pages around as you go along.
sending you hugs, take care.

[Lynn Grieveson]

Joni, so sorry to hear about Boyd. It is lovely to see you back here.

{hugs}

Lynn

[ValerieP]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss--I know that scrapping the memories will help you through this first year, if you find scrapping about Boyd too difficult-just do some fun pages-and then you can bounce back and forth as you feel strong enough to do so. I think the process of just letting your mind go helps get through the most difficult of times-cant wait to see what you create!

[janedee]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Glad to see you're getting back.

[DonnaNJ]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss... but happy to hear that you've taken that first step back to life. Hoping you find some measure of peace as you make your trip down memory lane.

[echogirl]

Oh Joni,
I'm so terribly sorry to hear of your loss. Welcome back. So glad you are back here.
What a wonderful idea to create a book for him.
Doris

[sarahorton]

Joni, I am just heartsick for you. I'm so sorry to hear this news. We're certainly happy to have you back here with us. Big hugs!

[whatnext]

Joni, what a tragedy. Of course we remember you. Your smiling avatar lights up the gallery. i wish i could give you some advice about the book that would be useful, but i can't. just follow what you feel and you can't go wrong. {{hugs}} to you on your road forward.

[Aino]

Of course I remember you. And my heart just sinks inside me when reading this. I am so sorry for your loss. It must be a long and winding road, trying to overcome the vacuum and emptiness that you must feel. I am happy you are back with us.
You must take your time.

[dugarner]

Dear Joni,

Of course I remember you, and I missed you! I have been wondering if you had a chance to finish Mere Mortals yet; you were always right in the threads about good books.

I remember your husband had been gravely ill for a while. I am so, so sorry to hear of your loss. What a terrible time for you and your family.

I have no advice for you on a book, but I am sure you will find lots of loving advice here, and you will find your way.

Hugs,

Sarah

[Monique1971]

Oh Joni, I'm so sorry you lost your husband. I had missed you in the gallery, I don't know what to say, I would love to give you a big hug and lots of strenght. I'm glad you are back, hope your book will be beautiful and full with your memories of your dear husband.

[nativescrapper]

Of course I remember you Joni.
Im so sorry to hear you lost your husband. <<<Hugs>>>. I was going to mention Carolees pages too. Shes doing a awesome job with her pages. Im glad your back.

[lisa.hinrichs]

Joni, I am so sorry to hear about your loss, and glad that you are back with us at the DD Community. I can't even begin to imagine. Scrapbooking can be bittersweet therapy. So calming to know that the memories become tangible, but it's often a heavy hearted process getting them on paper. Start small and hopefully it will get easier. There will be things that spark an old memory and will serve as the best type of inspiration.

[kikimama]

So sorry to hear your news, will be thinking of you and your family.

[jazzmatazz]

Joni, yes, you are definitely remembered! So very sorry to hear about your husband. Praying for peace to surround you and your family.

I don't have any advice regarding a photobook, but I'm sure anything you create will be treasured for many, many years to come.

Blessings to you,