Taking family photos is worth more than meets the eye

I've been fascinated to see the old photos miraculously taken of my father's mother, who died before I was born. I pore over the black and white images, taking note of her nose, the shape of her eyes, the clothes she was wearing.

And now my father's videos are equally as priceless.

I've since apologized for deriding him in his efforts. In fact, I won't tell him to put his camera away ever again.

I want to hold on to those moments for forever.

And I've decided that when it comes to pictures and what it means for my posterity, my regrets aren't taking too many — they're not taking enough.

Amy Choate-Nielsen is a full-time mom and part-time writer. She spends her days at the park and her nights at the computer. She writes about family history and her quest to understand life while learning about her deceased grandmother, Fleeta.