People everywhere are using digital storytelling stories for a variety of purposes. They use them to entertain with delightful pictures, video clips, graphics, music and the spoken word whether in poems or stories that bring the various media together for a united purpose. They use them to educate or draw attention to a passionate subject such as WWII and the Nazi regime. They use them to tell the stories of heroes. Some are heroes that did great things in history such as George Washington or Martin Luther King, Jr. Then there are the other kinds of heroes, the ones you meet every day and might not even notice. Their stories come to life through digital storytelling stories as you become a part of their world.



One of many of these digital storytelling stories told of a mother who was dying of breast cancer and wanted to leave her children a special way to remember her. The story showed videos and pictures of the births of each of her two daughters and then progressed through the three and five years that they had lived until that point. Throughout the story the mother sang lullabies to her girls and told each one the story of their birth. She showed them through pictures and videos the kind of mother she was to them and the kind of women she hoped they grow up to be. This beautiful digital story is a beautiful way for these girls to remember their mother as they grow up without her in their home.

Another of the most touching digital storytelling stories is about a baby boy who was born with a serious birth defect. His parents knew his life would be very short and they wanted to document every moment of it. They took pictures every single day of his life, which lasted just a few short months. Then they put together a beautiful digital storytelling story with angelic music and a narration about how they felt each day of their precious child's life. The story was narrated as they spoke to their son about his life and what he taught them in his brief stay on earth. It was a particularly heart wrenching story, but it made you appreciate the beauty and delicacy of life. The message was on how each life has value and meaning.

Digital storytelling stories provide a compelling way to honor the heroes in our lives. They are our mothers, grandmothers, fathers, uncles or the coach of our swim team. Some people have a unique ability to uplift and inspire us. Why not share these people with the world and broaden their sphere of influence? With so much negativity in the world it is so important to share as many positive experiences and people with others as possible. Life is short and complicated and all too often people get so caught up in the living that they forget the value of life. Digital storytelling stories are a great way to remember the value and importance of life.