Bringing memories back with YesVideo

  Can those who are gone from your life be with you again? (This sounds like a philisophical question, but bear with me a moment!)

  I was given the opportunity the review YesVideo, a company that transfers old reels and VHS tapes into more easily-watchable DVDs. My grandmother having passed away in December, we had come across a few old (old) reels but, having no idea what was on them or what to do with them, put them aside. When this YesVideo chance presented itself, I instantly thought of those old reels. 

  To be perfectly honest, I didn't expect much. The reels had been ill-stored, the oldest were 50+ years old, and I didn't expect this company to be able to magically make them viewable again. I sent everything back in the package as instructed, but my expectations were not high. 

  So going back to the original question - can lost loved ones be with you once again? I was on the verge of tears as I watched the videos that was returned to me, decades old, come alive again on the screen. My grandpa proudly carrying his first-born; my mother as a toddler, pushing a baby carriage, greeting her baby siblings; my aunts on Christmas morning. A dog long since passed was there again, happily playing fetch. A little boy taking a lick of a pop, sharing it with the dog, and then licking it again. (Eww! But cute!) My backyard, a good 20 years before I was born, familiar but distinctly of a different time. It was all there, everything my grandmother had seen and thought worthy of saving. The love she felt showed through, all these years later. I felt closer to her than I have in the 6 months she's been gone.

    Since getting my DVD in the mail, I've made a vow to make more home videos of my own. Not only the "big" things, like holidays and birthdays, but those every day moments that someday will be recognized as the "big" things after all. And when DVDs are obsolete, I'll count on YesVideo to be ready to transfer them to whatever technology comes next!


  What memories would you like to see brought back to life?

  If you're like me, you might hesitate before sending something as precious and irreplaceable as old family movies through the mail to anyone. What if they get lost? Damaged? While I did hesitate initially, YesVideo has a good enough reputation that I felt comfortable sending to them. But also they send you the box to ship your videos in, pre-paid and complete with UPS tracking number. You can keep track of your box as it travels to its destination, and rest easier when you know it's arrived. 

  Or don't. You can also chose to drop off your order at one of their retail partners (including CVS, WalMart, Costco and Sam's Club) if you prefer.

  I also loved that I didn't have to wait the several weeks for my DVD to be ready to learn about how my video was progressing. They let you know when it arrives safely, and they send you a link to an online version of your movie as soon as the transfer is complete. While the online version is completely private, you can chose to share parts of it to loved ones ("Hey Uncle Larry, remember when you tried to do the Slip N' Slide?!") or even share it in its entirety. 

  But you know what else I love? When I can share awesome deals with my awesome readers!