As a mother, I often worry about the possibility of leaving my two boys and the memories they’ll carry with them when I’m not physically there. With today’s digital realm of taking as many photos as possible, we may take for granted the intention and purpose behind the moments we capture. It doesn’t compare to what our generation has, which is the old crusty photo album of pictures or a repurposed shoebox filled with letters, photographs, ticket stubs, and whatever past memorabilia can transport us back to our childhood.

Film: Shoebox Memories

Shoebox Memories is a short film I wrote and directed when my son was two years old. It is a heartfelt story about a young mother diagnosed with cancer, and to deal with the heartbreak of leaving her son, she created a time capsule to open when he’s older. It’s about the importance that we put into moments that turn them into loving memories that live on in those we leave behind. 

There was a script-writing contest at the time, and the challenge was to incorporate a theme of either cancer or suicide into the script. These were morbid topics, I know, but are important topics of discussion.

As a young mom, I thought about how delicate our lives are relative to time, and a recurring thought I’ve always had is what would happen if I were to leave this earth suddenly and the sad thought of my son (now sons) growing up without a mother. These thoughts inspired me to write this short film to provoke the existential question of how we would live our lives if they were our last moments. As a parent, this will always go back to my two boys and how I’d want them to remember me, and I hope that they know that I’m always with them.

You can watch the film for free here.

We hope this inspires you to make a Shoebox of Memories and make the most out of every waking moment with loved ones.

Creative Capsule Ideas

Whether you’re gathering mementos for your unborn child or collecting keepsakes to give to your kid when they’re 18, keeping a shoebox of memories serves as a creative time capsule. Here’s a list of items you can add:

• Photos 
• Letters 
• Movie stubs and tickets from festivals
• Lock of hair from baby’s first haircut, a tradition practiced by many different cultures
• Favorite onesies or other clothing items
• Books

Audio Time Capsule: Recording a Family Member 

Listening to the voices of our loved ones, especially an audio track, can bring us comfort. In this New York Times article, the writer talks about her father’s annual Christmas ritual, which basically brought us to tears.

“He pours a large tumbler of Scotch, goes into his bedroom, shuts the door and listens to tapes I made of conversations with my grandma before she died 22 years ago. Back when her death was still raw, he would listen and cry. ‘Now I’m at the point where I hear her voice and just feel close to her again,’ Dad told me.”

Grab a coffee, hit record on your phone, and capture the stories of your loved ones. 

Visual Time Capsule: One Second Everyday

On January 1, 2018,  Akina (our other editor) started capturing one-second clips of every day and was excited to see the result by the end of the year. Little did she know, she captured the last living moments of her grandfather and father, who had passed away that year. To date, this video is one of her most prized possessions. 

Alternative: Day One Journal: Private Diary 

Day One might be more up your alley if you’re more prone to capturing memories using a camera. This digital diary is an easy way to write, document, and revisit memories that are important to your life. 

Share your creative capsule ideas in the comments below!