From Black and White to pixels by the million.

At a visit to an Aunts house last year, I found a large black and white photograph of my first communion. I was standing in line, outside the church, in my white shirt and blue tie along with the rest of my class, many whose names I could no longer remember. Some I did remember and it was brilliant seeing myself so young and innocent waiting nervously for the promised great event to follow.

For reasons only known to one person, I have been unable to get hold of a copy of the photo, despite numerous attempts and I fear it will be destroyed when my Aunt finally shakes off her mortal coil. I have no idea why the person I suspect of withholding it wants to be so malevolent. I only know her through word of mouth and have met her fleetingly at family funerals. I have no idea what her motivation is either. This is not, however, the point of this post.

My 14 year old Granddaughter goes to Killington in the US in just over a week on a school ski trip. Not like me, a trip to Belle Vue Zoo in Manchester. Times have changed and expectations have moved on. We reminded her that she had ski'd before, when she was four on a holiday with us in France. We also had the proof on video so, last night I got out the old camcorder and waded through dozens of old tapes, looking for the footage. It was a fantastic job. There was Holly being held in my arms when she was less than a day old. There was every Christmas until she was seven. I used to tape our conversations. She was animal mad from being a baby and we used to play at vets. Twelve years later her heart is still firmly set on becoming a vet.

She sat with us with a sometimes bemused look on her face. She hardly recognised herself and could, of course, not remember any of the events that were showing on screen. I really miss the little girl that lived with us until she was over three years old. Because she lived with us, she had four parents and never has distinguished between us. We are all her Mum and Dad even now. Lucy came along six years after Holly and it was a big enough gap for her to get the attention she also deserved and got, despite never having lived with us. Her face lights up when she is told she is "sleeping over" She has her own room with her own bed and toys so she has not missed out in any way.

I envy the fact that, when they are old, they will be able to look back on crystal clear films of themselves growing up. They will be able to show their own children these and they will be a permanent record of the lives of two little girls who grew up to be two beautiful women. They will not have to scrat around to find old grainy photos of themselves. Everything they could want will be there and available on demand. Modern technology has brought some wonderful things to peoples lives and the camera is one that will be appreciated as much as any.