Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Anatomy of a friend

I can't think of a better way to begin my 2015 blogging than to honor a person who is so dear to me on the anniversary of the day she left this earth.

For some reason the holidays were especially difficult this year. I found myself missing those who are no longer here with me. Two people immediately come to mind and heart - my beloved Grandma Funai and my best friend, Cathy. It is extremely difficult to grasp the fact that they have been absent from my life for 31 years and 2 years, respectively.

Once in a lifetime if you are lucky...and I mean really lucky...you get to experience a friendship that is pure and accepting of who you are. Cathy wasn't of the "fair weather" variety. She never betrayed or judged me. She never spoke unkind words about me or mocked my weaknesses with others. I thank God he allowed our paths to cross.

Remembering those who have gone before us doesn't have to be dull and melancholy. I wanted to pay tribute to Cathy but not in drab colors. I wanted the papers to be bright and cheerful. Cathy would have wanted it that way. I used the Daily Stories collection by Teresa Collins. I love how Teresa's various collections work so well with each other. I find I gravitate to her collections when I want to make a bright statement.

In this layout I used butterflies to symbolize her departure from pain and suffering. When I think of my dear friend, I see her spirit as being one that's free and soaring above and watching over those she cared for and those who loved her so very much.




I miss you so much my dear sweet Cathy.


Thanks for stopping by,
Debra xo

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

To thine own self be true

Wow. Where has the time gone? I made my last post in June and *poof!* here I am looking at the middle of January, 2015. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

A quick update: In July I decided to just lay low for a bit. While 2014 wasn't the worst year on record for me, it was probably one of the most painful for a variety of reasons. I kept trying to put on a happy face and plod on, but soon realized that I don't play "pretend" that my life is all sunshine and rainbows very well. There is a quote by William Shakespeare that I have lived by for my entire adult life:

This above all: to thine own self be true, 
And it must follow, as the night the day, 
Thou canst not then be false to any man.

While it has always been a dream of mine to master my scrapbooking hobby, I have realized during my hiatus that this is something I'm doing for me. To preserve my memories and photos of those I hold near and dear to my heart. So often I've witnessed so much untruth on so many blogs and Facebook pages. I suppose its human nature to want to portray the most positive image of yourself, but at what cost? There are days when you don't feel like smiling. There are nights when you cry yourself to sleep. And you know what? It's ok.

So here I am, smack dab in the middle of January 2015 and I've made a decision to continue onward and upward. My intention is to blog more this year beginning in February. I'm hoping that the new year will allow more time for me to do what I truly enjoy.

Until I get back in the saddle, here's a picture of me and one of my kitties named Larson. If I am making a lap anywhere in the house, he is sure to find it.


Blessing to you in this new year. May it be your best year yet!

See you soon,
Debra xo