Remember This Moment

A few years ago, it became a family tradition that I create a video of events we have captured throughout the year and give it to the family at Christmas time. I wrap it up and put it under the tree and when the time comes that it is opened, we stop all the festivities and watch the video.

I love this new-found activity. Of course, I cry when I make the video. I cry while we watch the video on Christmas morning. Every time I watch it thereafter, I choke up. Maybe it's because I know the stress that is involved in finding the PERFECT song that says what I need to say to my family. Could be the hours upon hours I spend looking at pictures and finding the perfect one and making it all fit together. Maybe it's because I see how much my family is growing. Maybe it's because it always represents the end of year. I guess I don't need to defend it. I cry - okay?

I have started creating our sweatshirts to match the video. I find a theme and that's what my design, quotes, colors, fonts and video fit around.

This year I went with the song Long Live by Taylor Swift. It was a perfect fit with what I was trying to communicate with the family.

See, there's a storm a-brewing on the Deason horizon. It's not the kind to fear, but it's a storm that will bring many changes to the Deason family. And I need them to remember the NOW.

I think that at times we are all guilty of focusing only on our horizons. In and of itself, that's not a bad thing, but it's important to me to remember what is our right now. All too soon, it will be gone. Some stuff will forever be locked in our minds but I would ask my family (and those reading my thoughts) to remember the little moments. Don't forget the family barbecues, the laughter, the simple "I love you"s, birthdays, hugs from Hailey, Bill's giggle. Lock away the little things that warm your heart so you can retrieve them in the tough times. These are the things that matter.

Here's the sweatshirts. And the video. Enjoy...