Ruthie, Willie, Lois and Steve, circa 1956

I am feeling very nostalgic today. Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. My mother died seven years ago. It doesn’t matter how old you are everyone wants to be mothered. My mother was a master mother. She loved my brother and me more than life itself. The longer she is gone, the more I miss her. Now that I am one of the oldest members of my family, I understand more than ever what “it’s lonely at the top” truly means. No one calls me to ask what I did for the day, who I spoke to, what I ate, am I happy and how I feel? 

The very questions I used to hate on a daily basis, are the ones I miss the most. I would do anything to relive the days of a daughter. Not much I can do about that. Then the next best thing happened this morning. My first cousin Jeff Young from Los Angeles surprised me with something called Memory Safe Videos. He took an 8mm film from his parent’s house and brought it to Costco where they offer “Digital Transfer Services” which transfers home movies, slides and prints to DVDs. Then MemorySafe takes those DVD’s and posts short highlights on a secure website for your private viewing and sharing. This service is available at Costco, CVS, Rite Aid, Ritz Camera and Walgreens. 

Mom and Dad

I wish I could share the video with you but the service limits the viewing unless you pay extra. I will do that eventually. Meanwhile, this morning I was able to view my mother and her entire family at her parent’s 50th anniversary party. Through the wonderments of digital technologies these old 8mm films that were stored in a box somewhere became easy to transfer videos that can be repeatedly viewed over and over.

Jeff’s email message said he was going to transfer more of the 8mm films so that we can all share these wonderful memories. Nothing like bringing the past right in to the future with a link click on your laptop, iPad and smart phone.

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone, everywhere.