Behind the Scenes with Mary Jo

 What prompted you to pick this take on Journey?

I think for the longest time I hadn't truly appreciated my relationship with my mom. We don't always see eye to eye about a lot of things. And I would go as far as to say we have had our rocky moments. But in the past few years, especially since I have become the mom of a daughter, I have felt more of a connection with my mom. I see how selfless she can be. How much love she has for us and how hard she tries. I also know that I am not perfect. And despite feeling disrespected at times or annoyed by things said to me, I know she means well. In a way, our developing relationship has been a journey for me. 

Why did you choose this photo?

I love how we are both smiling and I remember it being a happy day. Plus, we don't have a lot of photos as adults with just the two of us! This could be a reason that this is the first layout I have created about my mom despite having several of my dad.

How do you feel about the message of your layout?

I am hoping that when Erin sees this in the future, she may have an "aha" moment as well. Also, a lesson I have been learning is that us moms are all in this parenting boat together. Supporting each other is so much better than judging or fighting amongst ourselves. And I want my mom to know that I truly do appreciate all she has done for me when I was younger and in my adult years as well!

What symbolism did you pull into your design?

I did a lot of layering with paper strips for my background, which reminds me that there are so many layers to my relationship with my mom. The cluster at the bottom right of my journaling includes a small hand cut rectangle from a piece of the Basic Grey paper that has the word "Fragile: Handle with Care". Something I have definitely felt over the years with my mom. And the little glassine envelope also by Basic Grey just called for some confetti in it. Because frankly, my mom can be a lot of fun!

Tell us a little bit about how you feel now that you have "let it all out" on this page. 

I have been wanting to do a page about my mom and our relationship for a while. And I liked how this month's theme helped me understand that it has truly been a journey for both of us to get to this place.

It is not always going to be easy. But I feel more accepting and more understanding of what her journey has been like as well.

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