by Bonnie Meridieth

Created on: December 06, 2009   Last Updated: December 07, 2009

It's amazing how we don't know at the time we take a picture or a video the great time we are setting ourselves up for until years and years later when we view them again. Inevitably, we wish we had taken more of them as our lives progressed. So, instead, we take what we have, allow our hearts to warm, and our voices to raise in laughter, and feel the tears of joy and years gone by roll down our faces. These little things called pictures and videos move us, and take us back to a time forgotten, and let us relive some of the fun things we had sitting just behind the walls of our memories.

Ask someone what they would want to make sure they got our of their house if it was to be destroyed. Isn't it funny that aside from their family, the number one thing people want to get are their pictures? It's not a wonder that this is true. How much fun is it to pull out those picture albums we kept as kids ourselves, and see the astonishment on our own children's faces. They say, "Is that really you"? Everybody laughs at the styles of "the day", and you can't help but look at your husband, and think Mmmm Mmmm.

Then bring out the pictures and videos of your children when they were little. Watching them take their first steps again is amazing. It didn't seem like it would be such a big deal at the time, but 16 years later...wow. The pictures of one child covered in shaving cream, and the other holding the can. Pictures of your babies climbing things that scared the life out of you back then, now make you laugh. The videos make you laugh out loud, remember, smile, and take you back.

It's amazing how these little things capture those moments that we think we will never forget. The look on my own mom and dad's faces as they gave our children their Christmas presents, and even seeing video of myself and how much I've changed. There are things I remember that I wish I would have video taped, but I didn't think it was necessary. Oh to be able to hear our 1 1/2 year old daughter sing "Oh So Da Me Oh" (in her words), when she woke up in the morning!

We have the capability to capture for our future, memories of these days of our lives. We never get to live them again, but we can look back, and remember. We can talk about them, and laugh, and enjoy them with the people around us, especially those who are involved in them. They can be passed down through history for our ancestors to enjoy. How much fun is it to look at pictures of your grandma and grandpa as they were growing up? It seems like there are so few pictures of them. The pictures themselves, and the stories behind them are cherished.

Don't let the time get past you. Snap those shots, and take those videos. One day, out of the blue, someone will come across them, and you will find yourself mesmerized. You will enjoy them with all your heart, and wish there were more. So, take them while you can. Some day, in the future, you will find yourself looking at the pictures and videos you have taken, and you will be glad you did.

Don't forget, there will come a time when your children will want to have pictures of you, your parents, themselves, their relatives, and on and on. You'll want to make sure you have them to give to them. Getting copies is easy, but you need the originals first. So take advantage of the time you have, and make sure you've adequately documented your life. You will be so glad you did!

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