Redefining Rainbows and Reflections

Autumn is arriving in Australia - a naturally reflective time of year. As I watched the first leaves fall from our trees last week and the colours change around town it is easy to begin to wonder what in life is truly lasting.

Perhaps one of the attractions to scrapbooking is the notion that we are creating something that will outlive us. Not in the same way as a sculpture or a major scientific discovery, but more on track with the concept of family. As we raise children we hope that something of value is instilled from us to them, extending our influence beyond our years. In a way, at its most noble, a scrapbook attempts to capture some of that essence of what we believe valuable and worth remembering. Whether frivolous or deeply insightful, we record what we want to remember and pass on.

At my workshop this past weekend, though, we were stunned by a different perspective. As we were chatting casually about why we make albums, Karen stated quite firmly that she makes them for herself and if her children value them then that is an added bonus. She continued to challenge us with her thoughts and I had to admit that it is easy to take this wonderful hobby and make it into more than it should be. To make it into an obsession or a burden that can interfere with the very celebration of life that we are trying to capture.

That night my son and I watched the movie Julie and Julia on dvd, and once again I was struck by this notion of how a good dream can become an obsessive and destructive force if not kept in check. When Julie realises that she had replaced her joy of cooking with an obsessive (and potentially destructive) need to make it her reason to live I got it. I really got it.



So how do we keep a balance? That would have to be a very personal answer for each of us based on all the minute details that make each of our lives unique. For me, though, it will have to begin with a few well defined goals and some well defined time slots to achieve them which is quite separate from the life I am living.

The kids will not be home with us much longer and I do worry that I have let too many years slip past as I have focussed on other things. This is not to say that children should be the only focus of a mother's life (that is yet another topic). However, as it relates to this hobby/obsession of scrapping, I will try to take on more of Karen's attitude of doing it for myself - for the pleasure of it - not out of obligation or guilt.



Now, here is the eye candy for this post. I created this layout in response to a Facebook challenge in the Creative Memories Go Digital group just because I wanted to 'play'. It is a photo that I just LOVE! It was taken as we were ducking back into the car during a beach holiday that didn't give us as much sunshine as we had hoped for. I had been testing the boys' patience that day with the camera - taking candids and making them pose more than they wanted. How embarrassing can a mother of teenaged boys be! Well, I couldn't resist teasing my son through the window of the car with the camera and then I noticed the wonderful overlay of reflections on the car window as the raindrops began to fall. My son looked up just as I snapped it. I believe his look is actually one of exasperation, but somehow the photo has a dreamy quality which suited the message I wanted to convey.

A message of the joy of riding rainbows rather than obsessively searching for a pot of gold at the journey's end.

So as April rolls in here in Australia and we welcome the reflective time of Autumn as well as the renewal themes of the Ressurection, I find myself redefining the rainbows I want to ride.