Memorial Day means something different to everyone.
We all walk a different path.
We inspire each other in different ways.
Did you know that Memorial Day wasn’t declared a National Holiday until 1971?
My Mom said she use to call it “Decoration Day”.
For me, Memorial Day is a time to remember those that have passed away before us.
Brave Soldiers that have served our Country, and family members alike.
I love family traditions, and for Memorial Day, we have one.
The Sunday before, my Brother, Sisters, Mom (sometimes Dad), and our kids congregate at my little brothers graveside to pay tribute to Jeff.
{this picture is from last year- I must have cracked one of my really funny jokes}
Jeff is 18 months younger than I, and passed away when he was just 20.
I named my first son after him.
During this time together, we go around in a circle and share our favorite “Jeff” memories.
If it weren’t for the combined efforts of the “Jeff Scrapbook”, our children wouldn’t know my brother at all.
Another reason why I print single pages, rather than a “bound” photo book.
Each year my family finds more Jeff memorabilia, we scan it and add it to the Digital (and very archival) Scrapbook.
Each family has a copy.
It is priceless.
The kids’ each have a little 6×6 copy that we continually add to.
![It's almost S U M M E R! If you're the document~memories kinda person, we've got 12 digital summer papers available 🆓 on our Facebook page. These are full resolution 12x12 jpegs perfect for Picasa collages, background papers, project life, smashing, etc. etc. [facebook.com/PersnicketyPrints] #memoriesareworthkeeping #timeflies #takepictures #summer2013](http://distilleryimage9.s3.amazonaws.com/d08d80fac29811e2985c22000a1f9ad3_6.jpg)
![Yuki = Snow. [still on the mountain, but summer is near!] #datenight @jonelmo #yuki #riverwoods #memoriesarepriceless](http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/9a917070baae11e2a35d22000aaa05f7_6.jpg)
What an awesome tribute to your brother! I think it’s cool that you all get together and remember him.
Can you tell me the brand of the 6×6 album you are using. I really like it.
Thanks for sharing your story. =)
Way to send me to bed in tears Chari
What an awesome tribute and for sure such a great way to share your brother with your kiddos. I’m going to pass this idea along to my SIL who lost her brother a couple years ago at only 16. I <3 scrapbooking for reasons like this.
Pierce Productions, Angel, and Becky- thank you for your comments. Your stories are inspiring, uplifting, and give us all strength. Thank you! And those who serve our Country are always at the top of my Super Hero list. GROUP HUG!
Thank you for sharing. We don’t have a tradition but we always remember those fallen since my DH is in the ARMY and has lost many friends and fellow soldiers. This year is very touching since we lost 7 soldiers just days before the holiday and my DH told me that there were 2 helicopters crashes today, luckily noone was hurt. Hits close to home for this as well as my wonderful daughter we lost at birth 8 1/2 yrs ago.
Thanks again for sharing!
I’m so sorry for the loss of your brother Jeff. It is hard to lose someone you love so dearly. My BIL died 9 months ago in a drowning accident saving his foster daughter’s life. I have been given the honor of creating a scrapbook about him but was thinking that my only option was to go with a bound album. Thank you for sharing what your family does to honor & remember Jeff. I can now stop procrastinating this memory book of my BIL because I know that I can use this kind of album instead & keep adding to it as my sister desires. Time to work in some picture scanning into my summer days.
Becky- I am SORRY! I can’t even imagine! – I have to stop and read every single child’s headstone as I walk through the cemetery and I bawl the entire time!
this is a great idea – especially the digital format I just finished my daughters (traditional) scrapbook (she passed away @ 10 months old in 2005).
thanks for sharing
Great post! Thank you for sharing- love this idea. Need to gather pictures to scan