I’ve had people over the years encourage me to talk to my mom and dad and get video of them recorded. I’ve done lots of little videos with them going over there for lunch, but recently we were sitting around the table and had a little extra time. Dad started talking about the past and so I turned on my phone video camera and started recording.
This is pretty unedited, I’m not very good with editing videos so I took two videos and spliced them together and it’s mostly dad talking and mom chiming in on her thoughts. It’s 18 minutes long, so not too long, so I hope you enjoy.
A little background for those of you who might be new to my blog. My dad is currently 93 years old, mom is 92. They have been married for 66 years and dad is a retired Pastor, with the Assemblies of God denomination. He was not raised in a Christian home, but by God’s providence he became a Christian at age 23. He then quit his job at the paper mill in Panama City, FL and enrolled in Bible College in Lakeland, FL (now Southeastern University) where he and my mom met and got married. Thus began their lives as young married pastor’s life and this video is his memories of being drafted into the army during WW2 and then getting out and working and then quitting to go to Bible college. I hope you enjoy! His short term memory on many days is not that good, but his long term memory is definitely intact. He remembers a lot of details from his early days. It’s a treasure to get these memories recorded and I know my family will treasure this and I hope you enjoy too!
What a blessing to have these recordings! I did not have that opportunity when my own parents were alive and I so wish that I could hear their voices now. It’s wonderful to pass down to later generations the ‘sage’ advice and musings of our elders. And, for anyone who is into genealogy as I am, having these recording/videos is just such a treasure. Thank you so much for sharing!
I’m so glad you enjoyed, Debra, it was nice to finally get video of him talking and remembering.
i could listen to your dad for hours…mine will be 96 in September and in similar health and abilities! we are blessed!!!!
Gilda, I’m so glad you still have your dad too, what a treasure they are!
When your dad was sick it was so enlightening to visit him and have an extensive conversation with him that included much of his own life story and testimony! I love hearing your dad’s voice. These videos are so important, so glad you did it. We don’t want to forget our legacy and pasts…. I loved watching your dad’s story.
Andrea, I’m glad you and David got to spend some time with him. I know he enjoyed it too. So that that illness is behind us, we didn’t know if we were going to lose him 3 years ago.
Oh, Rhoda. I couldn’t be more thankful to you for sharing this. I, too, could listen to your dad speak for days. I can’t even imagine what a blessing this must be to you. The tears started with the intro, and then I became fascinated with his story. Such a special video. I will revisit it often. Please tell your parents how much we all treasure them and so appreciate you sharing them with us.
Thank you, Barbara, I’m glad I finally captured some of this on video. Most of this I knew already but it’s great to get it documented. I’m happy to share them with all of you.
This is sooo sweet. What a great story. I find listening to people who have these wonderful experiences and their times to share. What a wonderful memory you have here.
Rhoda, you and your sister have such a great Godly heritage. So glad you recorded this.
What a precious time to have on tape. My parents story was very much the same. My Dad was also a minister. He was in college when I was born and he said I cried all night every time the night before he had a test.😂
What a treasure, Rhoda, for you and especially for your great nieces. My husband and I enjoyed hearing your dad share about his WWII experience. My dad was also in the war. My husband is retired Army and spent two tours in Vietnam. I so wish I had a video of my dad. He died in 1982 just before video cameras were in common use. Yesterday, my sister and I were remembering our grandmother who liked to sit in the living room and have us play Precious Memories on the piano. We were about 10 and 11 then. I said to my sister how I wish I knew what she was remembering, what were her precious memories. So get as much on video while you can.
That is a very sweet video that you will cherish forever! It’s amazing the detail he remembers of his past. My father also was in WWII and had some very detailed memories of his war days. Unfortunatly he passed 3 years ago at 93.
I so love when your decorating posts but your daddy’s story and your mom’s are the most precious thing ever. Their love for each other is very evident. You are so blessed to still have your parents around to talk too. I think you should make a video of them giving advice to young ones on marriage and ones like myself who was married for 26 years and went through divorce. Please keep posting their stories. Eileen
Rhoda,
This precious video is a treasure that you are going to cherish forever!
As I listen to your Dad speaking, I hear echos of many of my loved ones from years gone by.
Thanks for sharing with us!
Rosemary xoxo-rd
What a precious video! I love seeing your stories on your parents. My Daddy always said the same thing about the Golden Gate Bridge during WW2. He said it was the most beautiful sight when he came back from the war. Thanks for the memories.
What a blessing thank you for sharing. I I lost my daddy 13 years ago today. He was also in the war as very young man. Thank you again for sharing. Hugs
Thank you for sharing something so precious. I recorded my mother on tape six months prior to her death. A friend who sings and has a mini studio in her home laid down the tracks, added several of my mother’s favorite songs, added one she had written and me reading several poems I wrote during her battle with Alzheimer’s. I made copies for many family members that year for Christmas back in 2007, we cherish that tangible memory of her.
That’s very sweet! I’m sure your family loved it.
Loved you video. Love your parents and all of you.
What a blessing it was to hear your Dad recount his younger days and how the Lord called him into the ministry! You and your family will long cherish these videos and I encourage everyone who has elderly parents or grandparents to do this and not wait until its too late or too ill. We came across a old tape my husband had recorded when he was a teenager and they visited their grandparents. It brought tears to my eyes hearing their voices again. I wish we had videotaped our grandparents as well. The Lord has truly blessed your Dad and Mom and I wish them continued good health!
Thank you, Teresa, it’s a big blessing to have this!
I loved this recording…the content and your Dad’s strong vibrant voice. Your Mom sounds so sweet, too.
This was wonderful! I can hear your Dad’s preacher voice! Thanks for sharing!
Thoroughly enjoyed that video…..love your Dad’s southern accent..What a great idea you have to video tape your parents…Look forward to more and would love to hear about your Mom’s life too.
Thanks again
Thank you Rhoda for sharing your sweet parents with all of us. This video is precious. I love seeing them and hearing your Daddy’s stories.