"All I hear is raindrops falling on the rooftop, Ooh baby tell me why'd you have to go? 'Cause this pain I feel it won't go away, And today I'm officially missing you"
“Officially Missing You” by Tamia is one of many songs I enjoy listening to, yet, am disappointed in the music video that accompanies the track. For all of Tamia’s talent and however nice this tune is, it has a very cookie-cutter video that seems to focus more on how her physical attributes are displayed in outdoor and indoor settings. Thank goodness “Officially Missing You” is a nice song -- it kinda speaks to the joy of basking in sweet memories, whether those memories are of a person, place, experience or object.
Homemade videos, also referred to as Home movies, are among the objects that incite good memories for those who were present during the creation of these videos; And also offer historical accounts of milestones or experiences past, for younger generations to appreciate. Despite all of the smiles and laughter that they can bring to those viewing them, however, our society does not place much value on these items -- from a personal standpoint, anyway.
It seems like funerals are the only time when families break out old home movies to watch together and remember the good ol’ days. That is, if home movies were even a part of their lives at all. In this day and age, I doubt that many people growing up own more than a few home videos, let alone watch them. Why does someone have to die for us to watch home videos that are otherwise sitting around the house somewhere, collecting dust?
Why do many of us dismiss the value of home videos when they are worth cherishing just as much as we do still photographs? I mean, this isn’t “The Ring” -- you’re not going to die in seven days if you watch the videotape of your son’s high school graduation dinner or your grandmother’s 90th birthday party or your own prom video. So, what’s stopping you? If for nothing else, it is a great opportunity to help younger people learn more about family members whom they may not know, which is especially great if you are a parent.
So, what kind of home videos are in YOUR DVD (or VHS, Super 8, etc.) stash?
When was the last time that YOU watched a home video?