Another year another journal. The last 2 years have been a struggle for me creatively. Losing our son in 2024 was difficult to say the least. Tomorrow will mark the 2-year anniversary of his death. Even though the pain isn't as fresh as 2 years ago, it still is there. We miss him. We know we will see him again, that is what gets us through each and every day. This journal isn't much different than the last years journal. More inspirational quotes, thoughts. More family memories. I did decide to make this journal more of a textured one. I have cut out and placed photos, quotes into the papers, I have added fuzziness to butterflies, used glossy accents to make things feel more off the page. I LOVE to run my hands over the pages of my journals and feel the textures each page has to offer, my daughter does as well, and these will belong to her one day. I find comfort in the words and the textures. This year has been an emotional one in many ways, with moving my mother-in-law into a full care facility here, close to us. Selling the family farm that has been a place of rest, happiness, family get to gethers. It will be missed. That is included in my journal. I however did not go back any of the trips to bid the place farewell, nor help in the packing up. I just couldn't. The place has not seemed like "home" since my father-in-law passed away years back, and then the last time I was there was for my son's memorial. It has been sad to lose that place and not have a place to "meet up" anymore. I'm glad that I could put some of the memories into my journal to look back on. I couldn't get the photos to upload in order, so it is recent to Jan 1. The first photo being my remembrance page for my son's death, which is tomorrow the 9th.
