Pebbles and sticks of memory ...

It has certainly been a most memorable Christmas present to Himself and me from our lovely son, and we're only a third of the way through it - fifty-two "thank-you"s, pebbles of memory from his childhood and teenage years plopping gently and happily into our inboxes once a week. Each makes ripples of recollections in my mind too: things we'd forgotton, things we remember in turn which he may have forgotton ...

One of the biggest surprises, is how important some things were for him - and how little I knew it at the time. And how significant they are for me too, though I did not realise it till he brought them to my attention. I'm still absorbing them, letting them find their place, touched by hindsight. Perhaps that is one of lovely things about a memory shared: it can bring a gift to the listener too. Perhaps when we scrapbook, our pages hold a memory, an event, an intuition, a moment, until it can plop into the life of a reader years down the line, creating ripples of meaning for them ...

All this was hovering at the back of my mind on a walk with one of my favourite people, when I saw her hesitate by the path, look down, take a few steps, then go back and pick something up. Nothing special: just a stick. Some lovely things from a pack of Julie's Plundered Pages helped me record it:

It might be just a stick. Or perhaps it is something more. Perhaps she'll tell me, years down the line, when she reads the page ...

Comments

[Melissa]

What a lovely memory to record & beautiful journaling.

[Karen W]

I can't think of a better gift than the one you received from your son--so thoughtful and onevthatvis lasting the whole year. So special. I love the colors and the design of your layout.

[Kjjc]

gorgeous colours and love the way the twine emulates the stick-fabulous. Great memory.

[Julie Kirk]

I love the twine too. A beautiful page Alexa. x

[Jacky S]

What an amazing gift from your son......and a magical page as well.

[Amy]

I think it is lovely that the gift from one child leads to a story with another, which in turn leads to a beautiful page to preserve your thoughts and the adventure of the stick!

[Jimjams]

I love that idea - 52 pebbles setting off a chain reaction along the synapses.
Super page and how lovely for your DD to leave a piece of herself awaiting her return along with the pair of you.

[Paul B]

What a beautiful & thoughtful present. Your son has definitely been gifted with your heart and creativeness. As for your layout, it's as beautiful as all your work is. I especially like the honeycomb mesh pattern on your paper. your journalling is amazing. Another delightful snapshot into your life :) Pxx

[Lynn]

A lovely thoughtful gift from your son and a lovely thoughtful page about your daugther. Love the background paper too.

[Cheri]

Love when you wax poetic Alexa - you have such a gift for writing! And what a wonderful gift your son has given you!

[Sian]

It's beautiful. And a lovely reminder of how we are making memories all the time, not just for ourselves, but for those around us too

[Linda]

what a lovely idea for a gift from your son! Love love love it!!! Great LO too, and I love that the stick is a little bit of your favourite person still with you:)

[Lizzie]

It seems that your family all share a creative and thoughtful bent... What a really lovely gift from your son - and I think it will turn out to have been a gift for himself, as well as his parents!
I love the story about the Stick - and the plans your family are sharing together, to help that stick be a special and memorable thing. The scrap page will help - but it's everything together, that is likely to make "just a stick" into "Something Special"!

Sorry I haven't been "here" much recently. It's been so very chaotic and busy here. I've been having a lovely time, but just so tired at the end of each day...
This evening I am also tired, but have come up to bed very early and decided to make an effort to "visit" a few blog friends. Hope all are well in the Trimming the Sails household!

[Irene]

I felt a lump in my throat when I read of your son's gift. There is nothing better than when your family says 'Do you remember when...' and a string of memories are revealed. I love your page too and some artiness creeping in, I observe. Glorious colours.
Your spotted frames have caused some more creativity from me. See here http://hearthearthhome.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/if-you-go-down-to-woods.html
Thank you so much for all the sharing.

[Honoré]

Another wonderful layout...and your opening caused me to gasp in sheer amazement of the impact of your "pebbles." A priceless gift. What a joy! And thanks so much for sharing.
Cheers~

[ifa]

Gorgeous page Alexa.

[Fiona]

What a wonderful gift from your very thoughtful son and a beautiful page to preserve the memory of the stick.

[Ali TS]

What a fantastic photo, and love what you have done with it. The journaling is so poignant and personal too. tfs.

[Beverly]

I love that your son is doing such a heart touching gift, I think it is a glorious idea and I love how it led into your story about the stick. You have an amazing gift with words, Alexa.