Loving this moment

I am having so much fun at this moment in my life it hardly seems fair!  I get to play with my sweet baby Augustine, who is 11 months old TODAY, and I get to play at work too.  That’s a heck of a lot of playtime!

I am moving full speed ahead on a number of wonderful projects, with more on the horizon.  Life is definitely a balancing act of work & family, but if I take it one moment at a time, I’m okay.  Sometimes I have to stop and tell myself to enjoy each itsy bitsy millisecond, don’t think about what you’re doing next or what happened ten minutes ago.  Just enjoy this moment.

One of the mystery’s gifts to me is the opportunity to create videos for families.  When I put together a life story video I’m granted exclusive access to the family photo albums, which is like a window into their lives.  The passage of time never ceases to astound me.  Babies grow up in the photos, from infants, to children, to teenagers and adults.  I think of my own beautiful baby and how fast this first year of his life has flown.   I am constantly surrounded by and reminded of the timelessness of life.  What a remarkable journey we each get to take, and what an incredible task I’ve been given to try to preserve it. 

I’ve been writing about a few of my recent projects in this blog.  I hope you can check out some of the short video clips – from helping author Michael Koryta create a visual synopsis of his latest novel, “The Ridge”, to uncovering the history of Black Christian Churches in America, to learning about what it means to “Channel” for someone.  Hope you enjoy!

Maryellen

May Videography

www.mayvideo.com

info@mayvideo.com

812-330-3301

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The Ridge

Michael Koryta's latest novel, The Ridge, is a feast for the senses. Lions, Tigers, homicide, a scandalous love affair, ghosts, the devil. What more could you want in a novel?

The Ridge from May Videography on Vimeo.

But what I am even more impressed by (and I love this book, as well as all of Koryta's works) is Michael's real-life devotion to the Exotic Feline Rescue Center. Since befriending the center's director, Joe Taft, he has helped to raise hundreds, (maybe thousands?) of dollars for the center, not to mention boosting a heap of awareness about their work. And it doesn't stop there! As I understand it, Koryta has also been accompanying Joe by driving all over the country to bring exotic cats back to the center to provide them with a permanent home. Now that's love!

Here's a quick interview with Joe about the Exotic Feline Rescue Center:

Interview with Joe Taft from May Videography on Vimeo.

The Wisdom of Women Volume 2: Melvia A. Fields

One year ago I shared an amazing weekend video session with Melvia A. Fields in Paris, Kentucky. Melvia was being interviewed for the second installation of "The Wisdom of Women" series conducted by the Office of Disciples Women, Disciples of Christ.

Melvia's life story and knowledge of black christian churches provided an excellent learning experience. I had no idea the beginning of black christian churches, and the roots of all christian churches, started in Paris, Kentucky. Here's Melvia's description of Cane Ridge, the first christian church:

Cane Ridge from May Videography on Vimeo.

When I drove down for the video session with Melvia last August, I was 8 months pregnant. It had been an extremely hot summer, I felt ready to pop, and I was not really looking forward to the drive and sleeping alone in a hotel in rural Kentucky. But Melvia's interview totally transformed my attitude! I relished listening to her story. Melvia has led an incredible life. She's a peaceful, unassuming, Southern black woman, tough, true, brave and wise beyond measure. I loved learning about the choices she made in her life and how she made them. I love hearing about her faith in something greater, and belief that we are a part of that greatness. And I loved her beautiful Kentucky accent!

In this video clip, Melvia talks about all of the creation that happens at the Kitchen Table:


At the Kitchen Table from May Videography on Vimeo.

Melvia's story is now the second installation in the Wisdom of Women series sponsored by a grant from the Women's Endowment Fund of the International Disciples Women Ministries .  To purchase a copy of the DVD and accompanying study guide, go to:
www.discipleswomen.org  or contact odw@discipleswomen.org