I have always thought a completed scrapbook would be something to be proud of, but it never really hit home until now.
A few years ago, not long after I became a Stampin' Up demonstrator, I was given a unique opportunity. An elderly gentlemen who worked part time with me brought in an album from his Navy days. The pages were torn and falling out and he was constantly picking things up off the floor as he tried to tell stories of his days traveling the world while defending our freedoms. He bled Navy blue and he made sure everyone knew it. I asked him one day if I could borrow his album for a while so that I could preserve his momentos a little better for him. When I look at it now, I feel that I could have done so much better, but I didn't want to keep his treasures from him too long.
We had planned an all-night scrap one weekend, and I made him a scrapbook. I can't tell you the joy it gave me as he looked at every page with the excitement of a child at Christmas. It gives me even greater joy now. You see, Bud passed away in his home September 1st, 2008. His daughter called to thank me for doing his book. She said every time he was admitted to the hospital in his last days, he asked her to bring his book so that he could show it and tell his stories to anyone who would listen. He was a very special man and he will be missed dearly. Sail on, Dear Bud. Your greatest journey is in front of you.
Sometimes we touch peoples lives when we don't even realize it. What seemed so simple to me and not even my greatest work, meant the world to someone else. Never miss the opportunity to do the little things. Sometimes they bring the greatest joy.
If you would like to see the full scrapbook, you can view it in my Splitcoast Gallery at http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=14974 and http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=14975
