Unleashing a greater power

"People need to hear what you have to say now more than ever." The planes had crashed, the towers had fallen. Shock waves wrapped themselves around the world. Like so many others I felt strangled by the enormity of it all. My dad's words carried a clarity that hit me like cold water.


That night I had a class scheduled that I felt I should cancel out of respect for the tragedy. How could I go and talk about something as insignificant as scrapbooking when such heaviness enshrouded us. I told my dad that I couldn't teach the class and that I would cancel it. Nobody would come anyway, I reasoned, and I don't feel like selling anything right now. It feels wrong.

My dad kept talking and as he did I began to understand. Times like these make us realise what is truly important. And what is most important to most of us are the people we love. We pull together and draw strength from each other to keep going on with our lives.

My dad was an ocean away - a lifeline from America. I was concerned for all my relatives and friends in the States who were feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed and was making contact with many of them to check on them, to cry with them. I was also concerned for my 10 year old son who was on an overnight camp with his 3rd grade class. Even in Australia, I felt an overwhelming desire to gather the family together. It was particularly unsettling to have my family spread so thin in the circumstances.

At the very least, scrapbooking certainly seemed like a dumb thing to be thinking about, much less advocating, on a night like this. But as a result of my dad's encouragement, I held the class anyway thinking it would at least give my mind a break from the grief. To my surprise, it was a full house, and as it turned out, many expat Americans attended - both men and women! (I can count on one hand how many times men have attended my classes in the past 10 years!) When I began by saying that it felt wrong to carry on with the class, I was met with many protests that echoed my Dad's words. "Oh, NO! We need this. We need to celebrate who we are, who we love, and what we value."

Wow. Those are the kind of words I usually say in my opening remarks! Of course they were right: these lovely people and Dad. We do need to recognise and celebrate these things and express them to our loved ones while we can. It is when we know who we are that we best accomplish what we are here to do.

The photo album I was sharing in my classes at that time was about the first time we took both our kids to America to meet my family there. As I pulled it out, I wasn't sure I could show it without falling apart, but as I turned each page a warmth of connection surfaced as I looked at the photos. And I realised that those looking with me were also thinking of their loved ones. A very special electricity was in the air that night. I don't remember what my sales were like, but I will never forget the power of that evening as we collectively remembered our loved ones with unabashed emotion while also reflecting on those who, as a result of the actions of the day, would be hurting, worried and grieving.

I am not a medic or a fireman - I don't save lives. I am just a person who wants to be sure that those around me and those who have gone before me are appreciated. One way I like to do that is in my albums. I guess that is more like preserving life. That night I realised that there is nothing insignificant in that.

Taking a negative situation and refusing to let it beat us down is a valuable lesson. Whether it is terrorism or harassment or just a bad day, there is something wonderful in sitting down with photos and memories and counting our blessings, renewing our commitments and celebrating our strengths and just having fun. It brings the smile back to our faces, straightens our backs and returns the song to our hearts.

Top Layout: digital made with God Bless America kit from Little Feet Digital Design.
Bottom Layout: the front page of the album shared on this night made with Creative Memories products.