Pink: Jennifer Nenni
- posted by: Legends
- posted in: Projects
- on: October 9, 2007
Another touching story shared by a fiskateer- thank you Jennifer for opening up and sharing with us all. I will share some rain dots to a few people who post comments here. The idea of keeping both the rough and final journaling with the page is wonderful, and a great way to add even more memories. Thank you again for sharing.
I have been wanting to do a meaningful layout about Beth for some time now. She passed away several years ago, and I wasn’t sure how to approach this layout. I wanted it to be serious and thoughtful, but for some reason that didn’t fit. I began with my journaling, and as I did, everything just unfolded. Beth’s sense of humor was in contrast to anything serious. With the journaling in place, the perfect picture jumped out at me, one of Beth and 2 of my kids, with ear-to-ear grins. It seems to fit the title perfectly.
One thing I did to give the journaling some punch was to print it out on vellum. I then took colored pencils and highlighted key words from the back (photo #2).
Another thing I did was to put my first draft on a piece of paper, attach a HG tag-sticker at the top, and then slip it behind the main layout (photo #3). You can see the tag sticking up above the layout. I loved the detail in my first draft, but it was just too much for the layout, which is actually a condensed version. So, now I have something for friends and family to read, but something special for family members hidden behind the main layout.
Journaling:
I met Beth through an Archie Comics pen pal list. Or, rather, Beth met me after I submitted my name and address for the pen pal list. Beth’s letters stood out from the hundreds that I received. It was Beth’s good humor and an unexplainable feeling of friendship that connected us. Our correspondence continued for over 12 years until we met in person at age 21. My entire family adored Beth, and we all looked forward to spending time together. Our visits were always filled with laughter, love, smiles, giggles, hugs, and fun. It was the type of friendship that could endure long periods of silence, where we simply enjoyed each other’s company.
Then one day the call came. Cancer. Breast cancer. I watched Beth struggle with treatments, work while feeling ill, and battle health insurance companies. But, what I mostly saw was Beth living. She was such a positive role model for my family, even though her terrific sense of humor and great outlook on life were often challenged by the disease she battled. She taught my family to live life, that everyday is special, and to laugh every day. She taught us that the time is now and not later. Beth knew that her time could be limited, and that inspired her to take on interesting jobs and to travel to far away lands.
I realize as I write this that I no longer recall Beth’s exact date of death. Beth would have wanted that. Living was more important to her. Beth refused to let the doctors give her a prognosis with a date attached to it. From Beth I learned to not worry about life’s curve balls, and that each day is a new day. Beth taught me that there is something humorous to be found in every situation. Some situations just require more searching and creativity than others.
Our last few months together had us writing letters once again. Each day I would pop a new letter in the mail, filled with stickers and doodles. Beth and I had drawn hilarious, stick figure pictures to each other in all of our childhood letters. It was fun drawing those goofy stick figures once again. Each of Beth’s letters, stick-figures included, conveyed her sense of humor and love. To this day I find that amazing.
Beth has passed, but the footprint that she has left in our lives and our hearts is indelible.
Kelly Jo says:
October 9th, 2007 at 10:42 amJennifer~ This is so touching. Your journaling is amazing. Thank you for sharing.
crazy debbi says:
October 9th, 2007 at 10:57 amanother beautiful story that brings tears to my eyes. The LO is very special and the journaling reminds us that life is to be lived, even in the face of a terminal illness.
Sandy says:
October 9th, 2007 at 11:01 amOh wow! I am inspired reading todays Blog entry. If everyone had Beth’s outlook, the world would be a much more positive place!
Sandy~Turtlelady#1715 says:
October 9th, 2007 at 11:18 amAwesome pages. I love the individual uses. Tkx for sharing
Mary Wulf says:
October 9th, 2007 at 11:23 amI love the LO and the great ideas!
Amy says:
October 9th, 2007 at 11:33 amJennifer I love this - your journaling is wonderful and it is cool that you have the original draft there for close friends to read. Beth sure sounds wonderful!! Your layout is a testament to a truly wonderful friendship and an aweseom friend - thanks for sharing!!
Carlee #2225 says:
October 9th, 2007 at 11:36 amLove the highlights in the journaling…wha ta great idea! I also love the lo….6 pics/stories…great idea! Thanks for sharing this touching story and beautiful lo!
Joan says:
October 9th, 2007 at 11:41 amI love the layout and it turned out great.
Patti Smith says:
October 9th, 2007 at 11:44 amBeautiful tribute Jennifer…I love the journaling. Lots of my stuff is way to long…I like how you kept the original. great idea. Thanks for sharing.
erin yamabe says:
October 9th, 2007 at 12:15 pmoh, jennifer, what a beautiful tribute! i echo what everyone has shared about your creation. great job!
sarah says:
October 9th, 2007 at 12:32 pmWow…this is moving. It honestly brought tears to my eyes. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounds wonderful.
NANCY says:
October 9th, 2007 at 12:43 pmTHANKS FOR SHARING YOUR WONDERFUL FRIENDSHIP WITH BETH. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW HOW FRIENDS & EVENTS WILL CHANGE YOUR OWN LIFE IN AMAZING,INSPIRING WAYS!
doverdi says:
October 9th, 2007 at 12:53 pmWhat a touching story about an amazing friend. It definately brought tears to my eyes & reminds me of my childhood BF that passed in 2005. I still miss her today & haven’t yet been able to do a LO of her. Thanks for sharing.
Angela Smith #786 says:
October 9th, 2007 at 1:06 pmThank you for sharing such a hearfelt and touching story.
Kim S says:
October 9th, 2007 at 1:23 pmOh, my… I have tears in my eyes. What a wonderful friendship you both had. It is something to cherish. its a terrific tribute you that amazing person. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing. Take Care!
Karen C. says:
October 9th, 2007 at 1:30 pmJennifer, what a touching LO. thank you for sharing your friendship with us. :O)
krafty wahine says:
October 9th, 2007 at 1:30 pmJennifer,
You were blessed to have such a wonderful friendship. I know that you will cherish it forever.
Anita #395
Merlene says:
October 9th, 2007 at 1:49 pmA beautiful tribute to your friend. Your journaling is awesome. TFS
Jenna says:
October 9th, 2007 at 2:05 pmWhat a beautiful & fun layout honoring your friendship. I love the idea of hiding more in-depth journaling behind the formal page.
melita says:
October 9th, 2007 at 2:17 pmJennifer, thank you for sharing about such a wonderful and touching relationship. Your LO is fantastic and I think the best part of it is that you let what you remember most about Beth shine through…her love of life.
arlsmom - Lynda #1749 says:
October 9th, 2007 at 4:08 pmJennifer…what a beautiful tribute to your friendship!!!!
kim3timemom says:
October 9th, 2007 at 4:11 pmThanks so much for sharing. What a wonderful page. Such a special friendship.
Amanda says:
October 9th, 2007 at 4:14 pmI love the layout. Great journaling!
Geraldine says:
October 9th, 2007 at 4:22 pmI love the layout and the color pink.
Laura says:
October 9th, 2007 at 4:31 pmWOW! An amazing tribute to an inspiring person. Thank you for sharing!
Betsy says:
October 9th, 2007 at 5:39 pmWhat a touching story! I love the way your journaled it!
bonnie says:
October 9th, 2007 at 5:48 pmanother wonderful tribute!!! thanks for sharing your heartfelt layout & journaling!!!
Jessica Sim says:
October 9th, 2007 at 5:55 pmGreat journaling! This is a very touching layout, and I love how you saved the first draft!
Amy G. says:
October 9th, 2007 at 6:11 pmAww, she sounds like she was a wonderful person. She was so lucky to have a friend like you. I’m sure you’re the reason she handled cancer so well. It sounds like you were her savior. What a sweet person you are.
Cat says:
October 9th, 2007 at 6:41 pmOh, I’m bawling. This is beautiful and so helpful. I’ve had a dear friend pass in the past year and I was trying to figure out how to approach this. He, too, was more on the positive side and wouldn’t want us grumbling or whatnot. I love the positive LO and the beautiful journaling. Thank you so much for sharing!
Julie Overby says:
October 9th, 2007 at 7:44 pmVery touching, awesome journaling!
Monica Sheldon says:
October 9th, 2007 at 8:11 pmthat is so moving to hear she went on living up to the day she died. what a strong she must have been. God sure gave you a friend for life and in memories.
Janet says:
October 9th, 2007 at 8:27 pmWhat touching journaling… a wonderful way to honor your friend’s life.
Laura says:
October 9th, 2007 at 9:09 pmHow beautiful…..
Joy says:
October 9th, 2007 at 9:28 pmSuch a touching layout and one that comes from the heart. Brings tears to my eyes. There’s probably not anyone reading this that hasn’t been touched by cancer and you have shared such a heartwarming story. Hugs.
Jennifer #1626 says:
October 9th, 2007 at 9:37 pmWow! Thanks everyone for all the Fiska-love.
Jennifer #1626
Chell Scott says:
October 9th, 2007 at 11:31 pmOk, I have to post, First, I’m motivated, I’m going to try to journal on every page. second, I’ve never tried Rain Dots, how cool are they?
Finally, this was very touching, thank you for sharing
mariah says:
October 9th, 2007 at 11:51 pmThis is such a heart warming story,and nice journeling,TFS
Brenda says:
October 10th, 2007 at 12:00 amWow great way to do journaling.
I sure can use some rain dots. Never seam to have enough.
Meg says:
October 10th, 2007 at 12:14 amJennifer,
Another great LO and what a beautiful tribute to your friend. Your openess is inspiring!
STrue says:
October 10th, 2007 at 1:33 amHi Jen! WOW! You’ve outdone yourself once again! Beth must be smiling ear-to-ear from Heaven.
(( hugs!))
Sandra Wilkins says:
October 10th, 2007 at 10:31 amThis is beyond special Jennifer.
Natasha W says:
October 10th, 2007 at 8:43 pmJennifer, you are so lucky to have such a special friend and you did such a great job of your journalling.