Recently I took a flight for business and had a seat next to the window. As I sat and stared out the window as we took off, I was struck by the beauty of the earth from afar. The colors of aqua, and different variations of blue provided this beautiful landscape I just had to capture on camera. I wanted to remember this beauty.

That made me think about the many memories I have of my mom, my grandmother and my daughter Brittany, all who’ve passed on. I have memories of each, but as time passes, they become cloudy and less vivid. Thankfully for my grandmother and daughter, I have videos where I can hear their voices. Sadly, I don’t have video of my mom.

I have forgotten my mom’s voice, but not her way of saying things or the way she held her head when she was not happy with me or someone. I miss that voice and I grieve all over for that loss. That loss of memory. That loss of the voice that I’d known for 31 years – gone from my memories. When I look at her picture I try to remember her voice, but it’s just gone.

My grandmother “nanny”, thankfully I have video of her when Brittany was a baby. I have a few pictures of Brittany with nanny and I’m so glad I do. Video became more prevalent in 1988, the year my mom died and the year my Brittany was born. Thankfully, someone let us borrow their video camera and we took video of Brittany during the first week of her life. Finally broke down and bought one, even though we couldn’t afford it back then.

We don’t realize the blessings we have today with smartphones and the ability to record video of our loved ones, friends, and special moments. I long to be able to see my Brittany and it takes having to get VHS/DVD’s moved to digital to have it more readily available when I feel so sad and truly need to hear her voice.

My message to you is to record your loved ones. Interview them and have them chronicle life. You will not EVER regret that. It will be a blessing that gives generations a chance to really know more about them. Even when they are gone; you’ll still be able to watch and hear them. Priceless.

Until next time,

M