Family
Tribute To My Grandpa
My grandpa, Ralph Meacock, passed away in May 2024.
I spent hours combing through my grandparents’ crumbling photo albums, taking photos. A lifetime of memories. Accompanied by a piano piece I composed called ‘Garden Cottage’, I created a tribute video for my grandpa’s memorial.
When I posted the video on TikTok in August 2024, it took off quickly - 16k views on the first day, then 40k. Strangers sent messages of condolence, kind words of admiration about Grandpa, the life he lived, and the music that underscored it. It played on a loop during the memorial gathering in September. Grandma, especially, couldn’t get enough of it.
Grandpa’s simple life has made me reflect on what we lack today. In this world of relentless distractions and fast-paced living, where moments slip away in an endless stream of notifications, he reminds me of the beauty in simplicity, in quiet contentment. In a life well-lived, not in grand gestures, but rather in steady, unwavering kindness.
My Mum’s 50th
I came across a trend on TikTok of parent tribute videos using the piece ‘Ylang Ylang’ by FKJ. When my mum’s 50th birthday came up in 2022, I jumped on the trend.
I collected a vast collection of photos to make a tribute video. It took off very quickly on TikTok, with over 700k views and nearly 2k comments complimenting my mum’s beauty over the years. She was overwhelmed but flattered by this brief moment of fame.
My Dad’s 60th
Following the success of my mum’s tribute video, I figured my dad should get one too, having turned 60 in the same year. Again, I perused photo albums from my mum’s and grandma’s collection, then accompanied the photos with a song from his favourite band, Pink Floyd, which perfectly embodies his life.
The video took off and surpassed my mum’s tribute by an extra 100k views.
Happy’s Story
What makes my Bengal cat Happy special isn’t tricks or quirks - it’s his story. His early life could have come straight out of a soap opera.
I originally made the video in 2022 to celebrate Happy’s fifth birthday, compiling years of footage of him and his parents, Monty and Luna. I narrated his journey and paired it with ‘Married Life’ from ‘Up’ - a soundtrack that perfectly mirrored the emotional highs and lows of his story. What started as a sweet, innocent tale soon took a tragic turn.
TikTok viewers were hooked. Back then, the platform only allowed videos under a minute, so I split the story into two parts. That ended up being a great decision - the first part ended on a cliffhanger (“Together in harmony… but it was not to last”), leaving viewers eager for the rest. The two videos, together, reached over 800k views and over 170k likes. The second part, covering the heartbreaking loss of Happy’s parents, was so emotional that TikTok even added a disturbing content warning.
Happy’s kittenhood may have been blighted by heartbreak, but today, he remains a sweet, communicative cat who loves our company and shows no sign of running away.
Now, as he turns eight, I’m also happy to celebrate not just his birthday, but the journey we’ve been on together.
Compilation of baby tapes
Grandparents' house tour
Easter scavenger hunt at my grandparents'
My brother's movie character impressions
My grandparents' reaction to an old baby tape