Description:This is a therapy layout for myself. It felt good to write it.
August 17 has always been a day for me to remember and to grieve for lost opportunity. And a day to be glad for the advantages I was given. Thirty years ago, on August 17, I saw my mother for the last time.. On August 17, 1975, just five days after I turned 7, we were packed into the old family station wagon and taken to live with Aunt Ginger and Uncle Johnnie. Of course, since we didn’t know that was happening, there were no crying goodbyes. Or at least none that I remember. We were excited to go visit our family in Texas. And nobody knew that Sally would die in November of the same year.
Every August 17, I wonder if she cried when she watched three of her children leave. I always wonder how she could bear to send us away. I go through all the emotions every August 17 – everything from gratitude to sympathy to anger. But most of all, I just feel sad. Sad that I never knew my own mother, sad that she never knew me as a teenager or as a woman, or as a mother. She didn’t see how hard I worked to get straight A’s, to put myself through college, and to be able to say no when I had enough to drink. Sometimes I feel that she does watch over me, and that she has seen me grow into a good mother. Especially on August 17.
What a touching layout. Thank you so much for sharing this with us! It helps to appreciate what you have when you see that somebody else doesnt have it! I am sending you a hug as well as my own mother a hug right now!
This is one of those layouts with journaling that really makes you stop and think and then be thankful. Thank you for sharing this. I understand about it being therapy for yourself, I did a layout in August about my first child, a daughter, who died shortly after she was born and it felt great to put that together. (Plus it is being published!)
Love this, thanks again for sharing this piece of yourself.
Heidi
Jennifer-
Wow- that's pretty powerful. I can only imagine how it felt to get that out there and write it. I know you and I know you *are* a strong woman and a wonderful mother. Your mom would be proud, I'm sure.
Ali
This is so touching. What a great layout though I know it much have been so hard for you to put together. Thank you for sharing it with us as it is a very personal layout for you. I think th journaling is just wondeful. I like the way you did the date as well. I am glad you have this photo too for your memories. I am sure that someone is watching over you each and everyday. I truely beleive that!
Diana
