Alleen (AKA sagehen) had finished this scrapbook page on the 16th of July for a contest, however, Logan didn't want her to submit it because they would keep the page. She hadn't gotten around to submitting it, so I copied the journaling so you could read her feelings about life and how insightful she was.
48? Seriously?
Not I, the female version of Peter Pan. Born the youngest of four girls, I was the perpetual little sister. I played in the creek and gathered wild flowers while my older siblings hung laundry and cooked for hay men.
They followed practical courses in college, home ec. and teaching, while I studied journalism. They raised children and I launched myself into the world as a newspaper reporter, admittedly in a small town. Along with boring school board meetings and deadline stress my job brought adventures like gliding over dawn-washed meadows in a hot air balloon and listening to blue grass music in a natural red rock amphitheater under the stars.
At 35 I married my sweetheart. Within the year our first son was born. The second took a bit longer; I gave birth to him a few days after my 40th birthday. Play-dates with my children’s peers put me in a group of women 10 to 20 years younger than myself.
But at 48 I’m starting to feel my age. My knees creak when I climb the stairs, the silver strands in my hair are getting harder to pass off as sun kissed blonde streaks, and skin around my eyes is starting to crinkle.
Just this month a high school classmate called to tell me about our 30 year reunion, and my mother celebrated her 80th birthday. Unless I plan to live to be 98-years-old, I’m on the downhill slope.
Behind me stretches a life full of memories. Ahead I face more joy and more challenges.
One of my favorite scriptures reads: “We see through a glass darkly.” We do not know what the future holds. My life is half over? I don’t think so! My life has just begun. Well, okay, maybe not just, but I can bring experience to bear as I continue to fill my glass with wishes, dream and memories.
48! Seriously!
36 comments:
David - thank you for posting. Alleen had teased us all with a little "peak" at the page earlier when she was debating whether or not to send it in. I had encouraged her to send it but I'm glad now that she didn't. The journalling is beautiful and it was impossible not to cry as I read it. I can't imagine how difficult it has been for you and the boys these past few weeks. They'll be glad to have these pages as they get older and appreciate how much their mother adored them. God Bless you all.
thank you for posting that. I am still feeling her loss, as you are also.
That page is so amazing and meaningful - in so many ways. Alleen was such a talented woman. Thank you so much for sharing!
MH
Several of us encouraged her to send this in...I'm thankful now that she followed her heart and kept it for it will definately be a treasured piece of her for your family. You are often in my thoughts and I hope all is as well to can be expected.
That is a wonderful page. It's amazing the way things work out in hind sight. Hang in there.
Thank you so much for sharing this final page with us. I only knew her briefly online, but she was very warm and welcoming. Her art lives on!
Oh so glad your son had that impression, so nice that you can have her pages to get this insight of this wonderful woman, after all she is right, a new life has just begun for her, till we meet again ((((HUGS))))
Lani
What a beautiful legacy she has left behind. Yep, she was truly insightful. Thank you for sharing this very personal family treasure with her online friends.
thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing with us, David. Continued prayers for you and your family. Alleen is greatly missed.
How nice of you to share!!
Thank you so much for posting Alleen's layout. I think it is the most beautiful one she ever made.
Thank you so much for this! We've all been missing Alleen so much in the past few weeks and this feels like having her here for just a few seconds more.
She was beyond amazing in so many ways. The stars shine brighter now.
I miss her.
Thanks for the email and for sharing this with everyone.
'Al' will not be forgotten.
What a beautiful layout and the journaling reflects her positive spirit. Thank you for sharing this with us!
David, thank you so much for sharing this. I remember when Alleen agonized over whether to send this layout in, and I, too, am glad that she did not. Your wife was an amazing, insightful, and kind woman who is missed by so many of us every day. You and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers.
We will miss Alleen forever. thank you so much for giving us another second with her. Continued thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
I am so glad you have this David...I know how much she loved this layout and I am so grateful you shared it with us....I miss her every single day, but can't imagine your pain.
God Bless you and the boys,
Mary Rogers
It's beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.
This is beautiful! I remember when she posted about deciding if to send in the page or not. Once again I am in tears here. Heartfelt wishes to you all.
thank you so much for sharing this beautiful, and personal page with us. alleen is so missed at 2peas. Big hugs and many prayers for you and your family.
Amazingly Beautiful just like Alleen, I miss her so much and think of you and the boys often. Thank you for sharing her with all of us!
Love to your family, Rox -
The Bagley family @ Traverse Mt.
Her journaling is amazing and I see how amazing her journalism career must have been. She continues to inspire me on so many levels! Thank you for sharing. Hugs to you and your family.
Tears roll from seeing this last, and possibly most wonderful layout of Alleen's. This is quite possibly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Such embodiment of spirit...you can almost hear Alleen speaking the words, getting to the end and finishing with a bit of a chuckle.
Precious beyond words....thank you for sharing David...we all miss Alleen...
Alleen:
I used to see the posts written by SageHen and I clicked on them because you always had something to say, something to think about, something to take away... Your passing is a shock for me, someone who didn't really know you. I ache for the pain this is causing those who did know you - those who loved you. Best wishes to you in the next life and to your loved ones in this one.
David thanks for posting this last glimpse.
K
I think we're all still mourning the loss of Aleen and this layout is the exact reason why. Every post she made left you thinking, and reasoning with your thoughts. She was such a thought provoking woman, and so funny too!
I miss her terribly
thanks for posting this David.
continuing to keep you all in my thoughts
Beautiful journaling.... I'm so glad you shared this page with us! I didn't know her all that well, but she is deeply missed....
What a beautiful page and such insightful journaling. Thank you for posting this. I can't imagine how much you miss her.
Thank you to David and Alleen’s family for sharing this page with the public.
Alleen friendships is a good reminder that we all have an impact on each other’s lives every day, to make the best of the time that we do have and think of what legacy do we leave behind.
Thank you so much for posting this. I'm so glad she loved life and lived it to the fullest... God Bless you all and may He bring you peace and support during this time.
what an amazing page. and such meaningful wonderful journaling. I am so touched.... god bless you all.
What a beautiful woman with such a great outlook on life.
Wow--Alleen was just an amazing writer. So glad she found scrapbooking so she could share it with all of you forever.
Thank you for posting this...I know it could not have been easy. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh Geez, I love and miss her. I remember reading that in your living room,(on my b-day, too!)and I was thinking:
"This is it...she's finally gonna make her dreams come true."
I was heartbroken when I thought that these layouts had already been sent to the contest. Relieved to know that you have them with you to hold close.
These words are beautiful to me. Thanks so much David.
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