One More Day
If any of you have ever heard the song "One More Day" by the country group Diamond Rio, it will help you understand, what for me was an amazingly emotional moment filled with an incredible feeling of gratitude that I was able to enjoy one more day with my 98-year-old Grandmother.
Recently I traveled to see my family in Southern California. I decided to take my camera with the intent of interviewing my Grandmother for what I believed would be my last opportunity. After being there for four days I finally sat her down and started the camera. We spent an hour and a half talking about her life and what she hoped for her five children, 38 grandchildren and sixty-something great grandchildren. We laughed as she told stories about how she met my grandfather, or when she dressed up as a Bumble Bee for her sorority play.
She also testified of her religious beliefs and how her faith had blessed her life and that if her family had that same faith, they too would be blessed. When we were done I remember feeling a sense of relief that I had her thoughts on video. It wasn't until I received a call Midnight that same night, that I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the time I spent with my beautiful grandmother just hours before.
The call was from my little brother informing me that grandma had just passed away. It was a shock! She was my greatest inspiration and cheerleader throughout my life, and I had been dreading this moment for years. There were tears and disbelief, but within seconds I felt an amazing sense of peace. Knowing that I had just interviewed her hours before gave me an incredible feeling of thankfulness, joy and happiness that my grandma was now with her beloved companion. My grandfather has been waiting 27 years for this reunion.
The next morning I immediately began putting together a video of her last words. As I was in this process, the song "One More Day" by Diamond Rio began to play. It was impossible to hold back the in tears, it took me a little while to control my emotions as I listened to the words and felt their meaning. About 100 hours of work later I finished a wonderful memory of my Grandmother for my entire family. I reflected on the song and realized that I was so fortunate to have One More Day with my beloved Grandma, but the greatest blessing is that now my family will all be able to have One More Day with their Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother because all we have to do is put in this DVD and there she is, inspiring all of us to do our best.
I can't begin to tell everyone how important this has been for me as well as my family. I have produced million dollar infomercials that have made millions for my clients, had the great pleasure of working on the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics, but I can honestly say that this is the most rewarding production I have ever made. There is no price I can put on this video. My children and grandchildren and their children will now be able to have One More Day with my Grandmother. Even now I feel that my Grandma Dolly has shown me what my lifes' work should be. I want to give others the same peace that I have. If I had waited one more day, I would have regretted it my entire life. This experience has given me what I describe to people as the perfect closure. I hope my story inspires all who read it to have this done for themselves and their families. Thanks Gram! You continue to be my inspiration.
By Jim Ward
One More Day Productions
