One Woman's Treasure...

I don't understand why some people think that they can tell someone else what pictures to scrap and what to do with them. Why does it matter? Just because *you* wouldn't scrap something, does not mean that it's 'wrong' for someone else to scrap it.

We focus too much on 'the happy' parts of our lives. If our scrapbooks are supposed to be windows to our lives, showing those that come after who we were and what we've done, then by scrapping only the happy moments, we are ignoring those things that make us who we are- we are giving our ancestors and incorrect picture. Oh sure, it's easy to pretend to be all 'happy, happy, joy, joy', but at some point in our lives, we have to face divorce, illness, and death.

Scrapbooking is theraputic- we hear it all the time. It helps us heal to scrap about loved ones lost. There's a non-profit organization out there that accepts donations of scrapbooking supplies, and then turns around and gives them to children who are terminally ill. They scrapbook their lives, and their journey through the medical system. It helps them cope with the needles, the medicines, the illness itself. I'd hate to think that someone would look at those layouts- or the layouts created by the mother a child who was stillborn, or who miscarried, or who died a tragic death- and think 'why would anyone want to scrap that? who would want to remember that?'

Get over yourselves and thank your lucky stars that you are not in that situation.


Oh, the shame...

On the flip side, there are those who think that you shouldn't create layouts about partying or dirty diapers with a penny sitting in them or accidental pregnancies. They would rather that everyone either gloss over those parts of their lives- or not post them for all to see. There is only one answer for those that complain- it's my life, my scrapbook, and I'll put what I want in it. If you don't want to know about it, then close the window and move on.

Finally- if something bothers you that much, then don't post a 'please validate me' thread on a message board. Instead, take your complaint to the person that runs the site- let them decide what is appropriate for their site. Don't leave nasty comments- if you wouldn't want them on your layout, then assume that the person posting doesn't want them on their layouts.