...to 1940s music.
My older brother Marc who lives in Virginia called me a few months ago and mentioned an old video recording that was stuck in an old VCR player. He said it was a video he shot 30 years ago, it was two hours long, and it was of our parents. He was afraid to try and get it out because he didn't want to ruin the tape. He said if he could figure out how to get it out he might try to see if he could get it converted to a DVD. I thought that sounded like a lovely idea. He never mentioned it again, and I completely forgot about it. Then a small package from him arrived in the mail the other day. As soon as I opened it and saw a DVD in it, I knew. I couldn't believe it. I was going to watch two hours of my parents recorded by my brother in 1990.
It brought tears to my eyes to listen to them answer my brother's questions. They told the story of how they met at a USO dance, how my father asked my mother to dance, and they danced the night away. Nine months after they met, they got married. Just hearing their voices was a tug on my heart that brought both tears and smiles. But watching them dance made me want to get up and dance with them. My parents loved to dance. It's been nearly 30 years since my dad died. This video was shot shortly after my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I would have never dreamed of being able to hear his voice again or watch him dance again. The modern world can really bridge a gap.
So, now you get to see 19 seconds of my parents dancing in 1990. It's all Roger could get downloaded and converted into something that would play here. He's working on converting that old DVD to digital. Maybe we'll be able to post more.
They move well together. My parents never danced but I wish I had some film of my mother singing in her younger days when she had a fine voice, and perhaps my dad doing his garden.
ReplyDeleteJohn-- I wish you had a film of your mom singing. I would love to hear that.
DeleteThey are beautiful movers! How wonderful to be able to see that. We used to " jive " together but dodgy knees put an end to that years ago. Perhaps we could try your parents' style!
ReplyDeleteFrances-- They really loved to dance. I hope you do try to dance this old way!
DeleteWhat a beautiful present! Thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteSarah-- Yes, it really is a beautiful present. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Always good to hear from you.
DeleteThis is wonderful. How fun and touching to see such a video after all this time. You're right, sometimes the modern world can bridge gaps.
ReplyDeleteAlly-- It really is wonderful, a sight I never thought I'd see again.
DeleteYour parents are forever young lovers. That's for sure. An extraordinary unexpected gift. I'm moved to tears of joy, witnessing their delight in each other as they dance.
ReplyDeleteam-- Yes! I am so touched that it moved you as well. Thank you for that.
DeleteHow old were your parents then?
ReplyDeleteam-- My dad was 71 and my mom was 65.
DeleteWhat a treasure! I'm so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteColette-- Yes, a true treasure for the heart.
DeleteOh my gosh, what a blessing to see your parents so happy and obviously still in love. I am delighted this was found and recovered. A pure treasurer. They really were smooth weren't they?
ReplyDeletePatti-- A true blessing and treasure to see them happy and dancing. Oh yes, they were smooth!
DeleteHow sweet it is! Those old movies are so great to have! My son gave me a "video capture" gadget that connects my old VCR to my computer. I have transferred all of our old video tapes to my computer and then on to flashdrives for my kids.
ReplyDeleteA nice treat from your brother!
EllenD-- How wonderful that you have a way to transfer old videos to your computer. We're still working on trying to get this DVD in a digital format. It's tricky.
DeleteSmooth! So lucky to have had a clever brother! To see and hear parents again is heart booming splendid! Your parents aged beautifully, Lovely folks.
ReplyDeleteLinda-- I am so grateful for my brother's efforts. I would have never guessed I would ever hear their voices again, their laughter, or see them dancing. A true treasure.
DeleteYou hit on a great topic of how we lose family history. Just yesterday I encouraged my daughter to ask me questions about myself so that she would have a better idea of who her dad was.
ReplyDeleteRed-- Yes! I am so glad you encouraged your daughter to do this. Maybe she could make a video too. She will be so grateful for such a thing.
DeleteAmazing! What a great surprise!
ReplyDeleteSteve-- It really was a great surprise. I hope everyone is inspired to record their parents now. It's a true treat 30 years later.
DeleteRobin, that is so wonderful. I would love to find something like that with my parents, to see them doing something they enjoyed and hear them speak again. This blog post reminded me that I wanted to do something about a record case full of square dance music that my parents ended up with.
ReplyDeleteMark-- Thank you so much. Really glad you liked it. I hope you find something that you can listen to that will remind you of your parents and fill your heart with love, like this did for me.
DeleteWow this is very special Robin. Thanks for sharing it. It made me smile. Your folks were pretty smooth dancers.
ReplyDeleteDr Michelle-- I'm so glad it made you smile. It makes me smile every time I watch it. They loved to dance.
DeleteThat is wonderful and they were both very smooth on their feet. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCatalyst-- They loved to dance. We grew up with music on and lots of dancing in our house. Glad you liked it.
DeleteThis is simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSabine-- I'm so glad you liked it. Thank you!
Deletehow nice that you feel that way about your parents. my relationship with mine was not so great. mine did love to dance though. when I was young they would go out dancing all the time and even won some trophies at dance contests.
ReplyDeleteellen-- I'm sorry your relationship with your parents wasn't so great, but glad to know that they loved to dance and won trophies. Nice to have a good memory like that.
DeleteRobin, so many times when my swing band plays at retirement centers I see the lucky ones who are still mobile enough to dance..but also the wheelchairbound who yearn to be on the dance floor.
ReplyDeleteAt other venues, as I'm playing some Glenn Miller tune, I choke a bit as I can vividly imagine my parents dancing to the very number I'm playing, maybe standing and clapping (if they haven't already snuck out to the parking lot).
Phil-- I love thinking about your swing band playing at retirement centers and the lucky ones getting up to dance. My parents would have joined them with delight. It's a sweet memory to have of your parents dancing while you played some Glenn Miller tune.
DeleteHope all is well for you and Betsy. So good to hear from you!