Great way to remember loved ones

[wjoerob]

May I suggest this to everyone? Make a tape of your loved ones, either audio or video. I can't tell you how valuable it is to me to listen to my Dad's & Mom's voices on tapes they made for me in 1988. Do you realize we are only the 2nd generation that's able to do this? Oral history sometimes reveals details about them you would have forgotten or never been told.
My Dad told about growing up in a family of 10 kids, and all getting pneumonia. Doctor and 2 nurses coming and going, 1 child died, 2 more nearly died. Farm family, and in the spring they were all still sick. One morning they heard noise coming down the road -- all the neighbors coming to plant their crops for them. Without that they would have had no income for the year. This stuff happened all the time in farm country. Great story! Mom told about hiding behind the door when they brought home her new baby brother.
We made a montage-type tape of a former preacher's sermons, where he talked about his wife and kids. They've asked repeatedly for copies for kids and grandkids. Wife did another of a 93-yr. old blind man she cared for. He remembered clear as a bell being in the crib and wanting out, and everything since then. Made copies for his family, and they heard new stories they had never heard before.
I'm getting ready to do audio & video of MIL and FIL, 80 and 97 yrs. old. He remembers when they went to the "brand new" Chicago's Pizza place in Chicago.

 

[polo1665]

My dad transferred all of our home movies from 8 mm to VHS. Along with adding some backround music he ended up narrating the whole shebang. I can't tell you how much I enjoy watching those movies and listening to heim recount the events.

Mark

 

[Sackett2]

Somehow, we mostly missed my brother on tame. at 46 it wasn't his time. I found one small voice clip on a errant video tape.
After that, I lent my camcorder to my friend before his mother passed with the same instructions.
Another thing we are able to do quickly and cheaply now is make copy's of photos. At my brothers celebration of life ceremony, I had stacks of pictures of my brother for people to take with them- People liked having the memento and not having to ask the family during this time.

 

[tugboat-2]

Fantastic idea,...so easily done today. My wife's and my parents are long gone but what a treasure that would be. Like the movie stars who live on forever on tape or film,..jumping around and talking and laughing as in life.

My dad had a top police position where he was taped many times and the Dept. made a compilation of things on a CD for the memorial service and gave us a copy. You treasure it more than a photo because it's "live" and brings back memories of life with his voice,....."in-living-colour" !!

A great idea Joe,....Thanks !
. . tug