Back in 2016 I lost my Mother, throughout the months leading up to her death she had severe dementia and I was given the task of creating a collection of memory books, albums, boxes. To help with her mental alertness and to trigger recall. I worked on putting together these activities for her, making hand-made photo albums and collecting small items in a shoe-box – items gathered from life events – all put together to help cut through the fog of confusion in her mind and give her focus.
Her main source of recall, was a fantastic recollection of animal names, from out vast collection of pets throughout the years to naming each horse at the riding stables.
But she could not remember my name.
Since then I have developed a passion for collecting memories, the places I’ve visited, counties I’ve travelled to, events I have attended. I have this bizarre and irrational family of small fluffy creatures that I got into a habit of picking up from museums. I’ve had to stop that idea as they were becomming a little overwhelming.
So, if I can focus on displaying my photos here, at home I can put together memory books, full of tickets and souvenirs as a craft hobby.
The purpose behind this idea is simply to find some form of order from chaos, the years of photos, the forgotten brochures and triggering my own memories in the process and (hopefully) inspiring me to write about events too … Though that might be a little too ambitious currently. It would be an ultimate goal.
I don’t know how well this is going to develop, so I’m happy to simply go with the flow and see how this turns out – hope you’ll join me for the ride?!
Anne x
Tatterdemalion 