Memory matters.

I Love Thompsons

Earlier I was fretting about money. One of my children needs some tutoring and it is going to cost some. He needs it and deserves it - I hate to see him struggle. We will make it work, absolutely.

My second thought, after being relieved to find a way to help my child, was, "I need to make some money." Who doesn't? So admittedly, I came back to my Legacy Republic business as a way to earn some extra income by helping my friends and family reclaim their family memories that are trapped in the attic or front closet.

And as usual, I received much more than that - I reclaimed some of my own.

I watched my mom pregnant with me, and watched myself as a baby. My Gramp and Nana were there, playing with Baby Amy. I watched some more and although her image was faded with age, my beloved Grandma appeared, joyful and smiling, just as I always remember her. My Aunt Nancy singing "Little Bunny Foo-Foo," my first friend Jillaine, and suddenly my baby brother, too. Friends, the swimming pool, and my beautiful mom with her 1972 hairstyle. All we did was send in some reel-to-reel movies and Legacy Republic put together this beautiful memory collage for us.

Suddenly the money spent on tutoring doesn't really matter. God has blessed us with so much - especially each other. Now my daughter begging me to go play outside with her didn't make me think, "Ugh, not now," my movie reminded me that she would look back on blowing bubbles in the backyard with warmth and love for me and for her childhood. (Yes, I took a video with my cell phone.)

Memories matter. These movies matter. They remind us of what's really important! They'll decay in the closet and they'll decay in our minds unless we preserve them. Ask me how - I want you to feel this. And if I help one person it will be worth it. Maybe it will be you! I'd love it.

Introducing Legacy Republic

Six Candles

I am a sucker for a makeover. A makeover is a vision of something in your head that you desire but have not yet achieved, or even something you never thought was possible. I love beauty makeovers, home makeovers, habit makeovers, you name it, I'd like to make it over or watch it being made over.

Legacy Republic is making over our memories. It's making over our time and even making over our families! Family and friendships bring me great joy. I love connecting with people. I want to know what you love, what makes you tick, and what make you, well, you!

I think part of what makes you unique is your family and how it has shaped you. I think we need to celebrate family and reminisce together about the great times we've had and even the tough times. Life is not always like a box of chocolates. Sometimes family and friends who we love pass on and we are left to hold on to are our memories and that loved ones' influence over our lives.

A few years ago my dad died of a fast-growing cancer that spread quickly to his brain. It was crazy, and scary, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. But it also was a time of great love and warmth, even though it was the dead of winter in more ways than one.

I miss my dad every day, but the beautiful thing about preserving our memories in the form of photos and videos is that we can fondly remember those good times. Not only that, but my kids can remember their Papa Bruce and even my littlest baby who never met him acts like she knows him. It's the most precious thing ever to see her recognize him.

This first memory I'm going to share makes me laugh and cry. (Click on "Six Candles" above). With Legacy Republic you can attach the original audio or one of several pre-selected pieces of music. Either choice adds something special to the snippet. My dad isn't a featured face in this snippet, but his voice is. My dad was a  brilliant scientist and an engineer so to hear him miscount the candles on the cake is just hilarious to me.

I hope you enjoy this, and please let me know if you would like to speak with me about making over some of your home movies or photo albums to be relevant in the 21st century!