The Last Message You Leave
What would my last message be? How would I sum up a lifetime of love and experiences into a single message?
When listening to seniors bearing their souls, they are not thanking their employers or boasting about job accomplishments. They are not raving on about their possessions. Or ranting about regrets or grievances.
When revealing their raw vulnerability for their family (with a complete stranger behind the camera), I find these messages come down to 3 important life concepts…
5 Incredibly Thoughtful, Unique Gifts
These 5 ridiculously thoughtful gifts will impress any recipient. They are original, can’t be outgrown, they won’t lose interest and can be passed on. (P.S. - they aren’t just for the holidays either!)
What Would You Miss the Most? Here's a List:
Are you missing anyone right now? Whether they are gone from earth, still here but not physically near or maybe their memory is fading.
What is it that you miss most about them? Maybe that cannot be answered with one word or concept. Relationships are complex like that. If they were sitting right beside you on that bench, what words would you speak or what actions would you take? What if you knew it would be the last time you see them?
Write it down. Here are your prompts…
What is A Senior Film?
Why Grandparents Need to Record Their Story
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 65 and over make up 16.5% of the population. That’s over 54 million people. That’s over 3 billion years of history. Of brave beginnings and happy endings. Billions of years of reunions, lessons and loves.
It’s time to record all of it! Your story, your history, wisdom, all of it…with your personality, your humor and your facial expressions. Don’t hold onto history – pass it on!
Here are 9 reasons why grandparents should record their life story…
12 Story-Worthy Moments for the Holidays
Make this holiday story-worthy - not just store-bought! Because, come January, the store-bought decorations and presents will be put away. But the memories will continue to warm our hearts for years to come! Here are some suggestions for story-worthy moments....
A Thanksgiving Conversation Everyone Agrees On
Oh if these chairs could talk! What would the empty ones say? This is one of the most important conversations to have around the Thanksgiving dinner table this year. The time to capture, to record, to document…is right now.
What Family Interviews Can Reveal
I was expecting ordinary answers to ordinary questions, but that never happened…What came out of this interview was so much more than I ever expected. Nothing is more valuable than having them on film, forever.
How do we end a school year like THIS one?
Make This Year a "Record" Year.
The one year Covid anniversary is upon us. We’ve had to reflect on the last year - the sacrifices, the need for a larger pool of patience, but also more time with family, to start new hobbies and to rest. Yes, it was a year that will be remembered. Generations will give their perspective on the pandemic that rocked the entire world.
Now that a new year has circled around - I have promised myself to make it a record year. Not record like World Guinness or the black disc carrying music. Record as in - press the record button.
You see, like many of you, I inched my way around the house cleaning out, organizing and rearranging. And I mean inched - I still have miles to go after a year! Upon my discoveries in each room, I came across old printed photos and other memorabilia. How many years have gone by without me even thinking about these? How many more will go by? And, when I leave this earth - who will know the stories behind them?
And made me realize - as nice as pictures are to have and cherish…isn’t it even better to have voices? Laughter?
How many of us have lost a loved one, not only this past year, but ever? What would we do to hear their voice again? To see and hear them being happy?
Press record. I am going to be pressing that button as often as I can this year. Yes, I will continue to irk my family taking still shots of them. But I will be pressing the video button more often.
Also get a list of interview questions to ask family members about the pandemic!
Thanksgiving 2020...Time for more gratitude
This Thanksgiving is a perfect time to set aside our divisions on politics, pandemics and remote learning and come together (even virtually) to show gratitude for each other. Now more than ever we need to embrace our relationships. Here’s a few ideas on adding a special touch to your T-day…
2020-21 School Year: What Will You Remember?
The 2020-21 school year will be different for everyone. But one thing that will be the same: we will all worry. There are some personal moments to capture now - this is an unprecedented time. Document it. Here’s how…
Senior Videos
Graduation is such a beautiful span of life; gathering up years of goals achieved, victories won, obstacles overcome. It’s a time to take a moment to reflect on how much a child has grown and to dream about what the future holds. Unfortunately, the big ceremonies and celebrations surrounding this life event this year (2020) will not be happening or will be modified beyond what we are accustomed to. So you may be thinking of leaving the camera in the case. But NO! There are still amazing options for a very special video that the graduate will treasure for years.
Quarantine Gratitude Challenge
This late in ‘the quarantine’, it’s hard to keep our spirits up. Science proves having gratitude helps Here is an easy challenge for during AND after the quarantine - testing what we are grateful for each unique day. It’s also a fun activity for the family!
Birthday Away Wishes
At the time of writing this post, our country is in the middle of an unprecedented quarantine because of the Covid-19 virus. We are all finding creative ways to stay productive, entertained and sane. One problem area where this remoteness causes real strain and sadness…is a birthday. Here is an easy way to surprise the birthday person that will surround them with love!
12 Fun Videos to Make with Kids
Video is playing a pivotol role in these days of quarantine, including our sanity. Here are some creative, fun video projects to do with kids. While they are most for entertainment, they can also be educational. And best of all, you can have fun with these too! All you need is a smartphone or Ipad.
Add Video to Your Holiday Cards
Does this time of the year usually find you in a Christmas Card Conundrum?
I love cards. Giving and receiving them. But let’s get realistic; there is a lot of effort put into picking out, designing and mailing cards…only to have them tossed out a week later!?
What if I told you there was an extra special, extra creative way to get around all these pitfalls of printed cards? Something that recipients will treasure again and again? And not give you writer’s cramps?
