Thirteen years ago I received a scrapbook page in the mail. Included with this page were a pen, little double-sided sticky things to mount a picture, and instructions as to what to do with this unique parcel.? ? I was to write special memories and thoughts about my friend and former roommate and bring the page to a surprise birthday party in her honor 2 weeks later, and the host of the party would assemble an album celebrating the life of this friend!
I was thrilled with such an assignment. Not only did it give me an opportunity to tell my friend again how much I had enjoyed living with her and what a gift that she was to me, but I thought that the scrapbook that she would receive would be such a treasured keepsake for her.
At the party I asked the host more about this scrapbook thing, and where had she found such a lovely album. She told me that she had her own business and helped people create albums telling their own personal stories. I knew I had lots of pictures, and always stories, so for Christmas that year I asked for album making supplies. Sure enough, I received a lovely album and a gift certificate for a class on how to make my own scrapbook. A journey of preserving memories, telling my family stories and making albums had begun.