What Matters Most
Everyone has memories. There are the “big” memories—the first day of school, graduation, vacations, weddings, births, and more. Then there are the little things—your girls night out tradition, the childhood home you grew up in, the name of your best friend in high school, the special meal your grandmother makes, the funny things your kids say, and all the other little details and moments that are special and unique. All of these memories weave together to make up the story of your life.
It is so important to preserve that story.
People have been documenting their memories and ideas for centuries. In fact, the first scrapbook, the Common-Place Book, was created in the 1600s as a diary for people to write down their thoughts, drawings, poetry, and more. As the years went on, scrapbooking became more sophisticated, with the addition of colored paper scraps, decorative albums, newspaper clippings, photographs, and eventually evolved into what it is today.
Today, preserving memories can be a creative outlet for many people. There are thousands of products available in every type, color, and size to help you stretch your creativity and turn a few supplies into a memory masterpiece. But, underneath it all, the core of scrapbooking remains the same—it’s all about telling your story. It’s a way of connecting to your past and keeping your memories alive for future generations to enjoy. It doesn’t matter if your albums are simple or elaborate, lots of photos or very few. It doesn’t matter if you follow the “trends” or if you do things your own way—there is no “right” or “wrong” way to scrapbook. What matters most is that you preserve the story and the memories for you and your family to enjoy.
We’re all busy and may tell ourselves that we don’t have time to scrapbook. But what could be more important than safeguarding your family’s memories and history? It’s crucial to make the time. It can be as simple sliding your photos into a pocket-page album, with a small journaling card included. Digital photographers—it’s critical that you print your photos and safely store them in an album, too. If your computer crashes, your photos and memories could be lost in an instant! Regardless if you have film or digital photos, it is so important to start preserving them today, while the memories are still fresh in your mind.
If you’re a seasoned scrapbooker, you already know why this hobby is important. It isn’t about following the trends; it’s about cherishing the memories. If you’re new to scrapbooking and feeling a bit overwhelmed, feel free to drop me a line and ask any questions about scrapbooking you may have. I’ve been scrapbooking for over 30 years and would be glad to help you. Just get started—do it for you, and do it for your family!
