As a child, I once picked flowers from our wooded lot and walked two miles to deliver them to Leona Helms, an elderly woman who lived across from my elementary school. I don’t know what sparked the trip that day, but I remember she was so happy to have a young person visit. She gave me chocolate. In my innocent mind she was immediately my friend. Shortly after, she passed away. I went to the funeral and completely fell apart. I wasn’t sure how to handle her passing, but I knew what I felt - helpless.
No matter how many friends, family members, or acquaintances pass away I always have the same feeling. Sometimes I feel helpless because I know with death’s finality my chance to have a relationship with that person has also passed away. Sometimes I feel helpless because I can’t help those most closely affected by the loss.
Today, however, Terry took my helplessness away. He wants me to honor his father with a digital slideshow at the wake. An easy task for me, but it’s a task. I can help! This will give my dad-in-law and the rest of our family a joyful way to honor Grandpa’s life. Setting the slideshow to music creates a moving and personal homage.
I will be using Apple’s iDVD “Magic DVD” (http://www.apple.com/ilife/idvd/#create) option which is by far the easiest way to create a photo slideshow set to music. If you do not own a Mac, here is a recent review of the Top 10 photo slideshow applications (http://photo-slideshow-software-review.toptenreviews.com/) The next time you feel helpless in the wake of a loved one’s passing, consider taking the reigns and honoring their life through a digital slideshow.
