Video Tape Your Parents

[Chattyaholic]

I have a suggestion for all you DISers with parents that are "getting on up there in years." I put together a list of questions about their childhoods, their families, how they met, their wedding, early marriage, hopes and dreams, etc. etc. then I set up the video recorder, had them sit on the couch and I video taped them. I asked the questions and they gave their answers. I had given them the list of questions a week or so before I taped them, so they would have some idea of what they wanted to say. The tape lasts for just about an hour, and I now have a WONDERFUL keepsake of them to enjoy for years and years and years. I know it will be difficult to watch it, after they are no longer here, but I also know that I will cherish it and be so happy to have this memory of them. I only wish I would have done it with DH's parents too, but his DM passed away three years ago. I did something similar with my grandparents too, only we didn't have a video camera back then so I just used an audio cassette recorder but even that, at least to have their voices on tape, is a treasure that I'm so thankful to have.

 

[Colleen A.]

That is such a good idea! The closest I have to that is home videos of my mother with my kids. We didn't get the camcorder til 93 and by that point, the Altzheimer's was already taking it's toll. It is nice for the kids to be able to look back and see their grandmother interacting with them. Recently, we watched a home video of my mom's 76th (and last) birthday. She was in the nursing home by that time and really gone. She hardly spoke a word (the illness took that ability) and didn't respond to anyone in the family. It was really sad to see. I would give anything to hear some of her stories again....