Never Forget

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.  ~From a headstone in Ireland

I have a friend who thinks that when someone dies you should leave it at that. He thinks that once someone has died you should only have the photos and the memories and that you should never visit the cemetery. Going to the cemetery is only prolonging your grief, in his eyes anyway. Obviously, I don't feel this way.  Visiting my loved one's graves has always been the norm in our family. There isn't a time where I go to the town where my grandparents are buried that I don't visit them. 

I talk to them when I go to see them. I tell them about what is going on, and bring photos of the kids. They may not be able to physically see them, but I like to believe that they are seeing them somehow, someway... 

Visiting their final resting place gives me a sense of peace. It allows me to spend time with them, although they really aren't here. I almost feel that if I couldn't visit them and speak to them right at their graves that I might forget. I know this isn't true, but just visiting them keeps them even more alive. I love going to the store and finding pretty flowers to put on my grandparent's grave.  I do the same for my Uncle Jimmy's grave as well. It helps me turn the sadness I sometimes feel into a positive. Taking photos makes me feel better as well... and of course, creating beautiful layouts with them. 

Using one of my many photos, I created today's layout. This layout will go in my latest iPhone album that I have been creating from my Studio Calico kits. 

I wanted a simple look for this layout so that the focus would be on the photo itself. I stamped the angel wings on patterned paper and cut them out to add to the layout. 

The sentiment was also stamped on patterned paper. I added the twine to the page as an afterthought when I felt more was needed, but not too much! 

I told my friend about taking these photos and creating layouts... he said, " Wow, I knew you were a bit demented, but I didn't realize it went that far!"  LOL, I laugh because in truth, I think he may be a bit demented and off. I find my process of dealing with death healthy and fulfilling to my life. This is how I was raised to view death. I plan on passing this on to my own children as well. I do not want them to fear the final resting places of our loved ones.... I want them to view them as I do... a home for the bodies of those we love so that we may speak to them and their spirits which have gone on to a better place. 

If you feel comfortable, please share your views on this subject. 

Thank you!