Last year I entered the Memory Makers Masters Challenge. This was one of my entries. The topic was supposed to be about something we wish. I thought that many people would enter birthday pages and such. Mine was about Cortney. I photographed her from behind so the wheelchair was prominent. I also included two smaller pics that include her diagnosis and part of her IEP. In Adobe Photoshop I added the title, I Wish. The paper was Basic Grey. I typed the journaling and cut it into strips. Obviously it was never published, and I don't even have the original.....but I did make a color copy of it.) Here is what the journaling reads:
I wish you and Kyle could fight over toys or the television
I wish you and Kyle could play board games together
I wish I didn't have to fight to get you the best medical care
I wish car rides weren't so hard for you
I wish everything that could help you wasn't so expensive
I wish you could share your hopes and dreams with me
I wish I could watch you get your heart broken by your first love...
I wish I could cringe the first time you drive a car
I wish I could fight with you over curfew
I wish I could see you off to college
I wish I could watch you receive your diploma
I wish I could watch your father walk you down the aisle on your wedding day
I wish I could hold your child someday.....
I wish things could be different sweet girl....but God has different plans for you....my wishes
are not His wishes.
I guess I have to see what path God chooses for you.......
Your page is beautiful-the colors are gorgeous. Reading the journaling really makes you think. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing me back to reality. Love this page..thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThis is so very beautiful: both visually and emotionally. Made me cry. I think it's very powerful to document all our feelings and wishes. That's something that's really missing in my work. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration, Mel
ReplyDeleteMichele, your page is SO beautiful and I'm glad you shared it with us. Have you thought of creating another one just like it and framing it for your stamping room? What an inspiration! Smiles, Pam :)
ReplyDeleteThanks you for sharing something so personal. It really makes you think!The page is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful layout and powerful emotion s. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful! Your words truly touched my heart. It's funny how things like this put our lives into perspective! We think we have things rough sometimes, but then you meet someone who not only realizes that God's plan may be different from our own, but also has the grace to carry on. I pray that God gives you the strength to always fight the battles that need fighting, and gives you victory in those things that matter.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sophie
What a gorgeous page. . .and so meaningful! How sad that you don't have the original! Oh my!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful page Michele, thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele, I know I haven't commented in quite a while, (I'm bad about skimming blogs quickly and not commenting-shame on me!)but I had to stop to comment on this one.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely beautiful and very touching. A shame they didn't pick it up - I think it deserves to be published! Just beautiful. And wow, you've really given me some perspective tonight. And I thank you for that.
Okay, this page is wonderful not because it has all the cool, funky elements of scrapbooking (which it does, it is a beautiful layout!) but because it has the essence of why we do this - our family, our loved ones, and life. It is a very powerful page full of honest emotion. What a fabulous page Michele - I absolutely love it!
ReplyDelete*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
This reminds me of my Mom and tonight she sang "Jesus Loves Me" to our 17 month old. Her love for me and for her grandaughter is as precious as your love for Courtney. (Hope I spelled her name right. Yikes! I'm going from memory here and I'm so bad with spelling.)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your MM Rejects. This is so beautiful and you touch my heart.
Hugs,
~Nancy
So sad this got rejected as I really like this kind of 'real' page, My good friend Galina also scraps 'real' often about her son who has an unknown condition, you might want to check it out?
ReplyDeletehttp://greensleevesart.blogspot.com/2008/05/living-today-olw-today-challenge.html
Penny
I am so touched... I wish those same things for you and Courtney, Michele. I guess no one promised us that life would be far, huh?
ReplyDeleteSuper page, it should have won!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Page!
ReplyDeleteYour colors and flowers are wonderful.. and the journaling
really "Touches" the Heart!!
This is a truely special page..
very inspiring!
Michele, thanks so much for the kinds words about my aunts passing. I love this page you shared. I have a niece who is special needs, and this LO captures the emotion you feel so well. It brought tears to my eyes, as I know this is how we all feel about her too, wishing for those everyday "struggles" that we take for granted. You have captured it amazingly. Thanks so much for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteOK, I can't see your LO anymore as my eyes are all blurry from the tears. This absolutely beautiful! And like Denise said, thanks for making me think of what is really important...
ReplyDeleteThat was a fabulous page. Your journaling made me cry at work! Very sobering and full of love. It is a great page and you should frame it.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful page...the journaling is truly heartfelt. thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletei want to add you to my craft girls list on my blog. is that ok? what does your last name start with?
Beautiful Michele
ReplyDeleteMichele just beautiful, my thoughts somewhat the same about my little jacob but truly this is God's wish ,in Heaven they will do cart wheels! Leslie
ReplyDeleteoh! Thanks for sharing with us
ReplyDeleteI love your blog - and I have always been just one to come by every day or two and not post anything, but your page today really got to me. I have a sister who has cerebral palsy (she's 27 yrs old now) and I know what work it was for my mom. Unfortunately our mom passed away 5 years ago and myself and 2 other sisters now look after my sister, so some times I know EXACTLY what you are talking about.
ReplyDeleteKeep up your awesome work - it is appreciated
Thanks you so much for sharing your heart, Michele! This is the type of scrapbooking that I LOVE!
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely Michele...you always know how to hit right at the heart of it...makes my sand-throwing DD seem like nothing...
ReplyDeleteThis post/page is absoultely beautiful. Your wishes for your daughter are so touching, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWOW...what a wonderful page and journaling. Thank you for sharing your heart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a special page! So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour page is beautiful!!! I love how you did the journaling, and especially how everything you said really moved me! Thank you for sharing this special page!
ReplyDeleteThis is so touching....very sweet and heartfelt.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe this page didn't make it in the Memory Maker's Contest. It just goes to show you that the best is often rejected.
ReplyDeleteMichelle....
ReplyDeleteI came across the pond so to speak to leave a thank you for your kind wishes comment you left on my post...
Stunned by the depth of feeling and emotions that came across on your layout for your beautiful daughter.
I hope you dont mind me leaving this link but I have read two wonderful poem/stories on the side panel of Fe's blog and the link is here http://www.fe-fesworld.blogspot.com/
like you she has a child who has extra special qualities.
My wish is that your wishes are granted in one form or another...
Gxxx