The Gift of Tribute For my mother’s 50th birthday, I was determined to give her a gift that honored her in a thoughtful and expressive way. I wanted to create a presentation that would allow everyone to celebrate their relationship with her and for her to understand the impact she has had on so many lives. As I began to dig through hundreds of photographs, video clips and scrap books, my own personal adventure had begun. I laughed and cried for days, as I sifted through decades of memories and began to piece together the story of my mother. I was studying video production in college and had access to some really incredible editing equipment. I went to work building a visual story that captured my mother’s life from her childhood to her becoming teacher of the year! After days of work and nights spent sleeping under the desk of the editing room at school, I was armed with, what I was sure was the best birthday present ever! Nothing could have prepared me for the emotional response of the guests at her party. Friends laughed hysterically at old photographs, screaming at times. Family stared starry eyed over old video clips and there was not a dry eye in the audience when the video ended. I looked at my mother who appeared speechless as the room closed in around her. My dad waited for the cheering to end. In the spirit of coming from a large Irish family, my father held up his glass and exclaimed, “what a wonderful life.” Even though there was a great band and some wild dancing, it was the video that made my mother’s party so memorable. We still watch the video during holidays and I know it is something we will have forever. Honoring our loved ones, mentors, heros and heroines is an ancient tradition that is appreciative of time and human accomplishment. My goal is to help people remember where they came from, who shaped their environment and how, even though the world can be a very scary place, there is always beauty to be celebrated.