The Life Story Writer
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  • The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy amidst the simple beauty of nature. …I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.

    – Anne Frank

    Sunset Malaspina Gallery Park (1 of 1)
  • Away from the tumult of motor and mill

    I want to be care-free; I want to be

    still!

    I’m weary of doing things; weary of

    words

    I want to be one with the blossoms

    and birds.

    – Edgar A. Guest

    butterfly on lilac
  • There is something of the marvelous in all things of nature.

    – Aristotle

    arbutus tree reduced size
  • There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

    – Albert Einstein

    Full moon Drumbeg Park May14 2014JH (1 of 1)
  • Look!
    Look!
    Look deep into nature and you will understand everything.

    – Albert Einstein

    Eagle (1 of 1)
  • Sunset Malaspina Gallery Park (1 of 1)

    The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy amidst the simple beauty of nature. …I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.

    – Anne Frank

  • butterfly on lilac

    Away from the tumult of motor and mill

    I want to be care-free; I want to be

    still!

    I’m weary of doing things; weary of

    words

    I want to be one with the blossoms

    and birds.

    – Edgar A. Guest

  • arbutus tree reduced size

    There is something of the marvelous in all things of nature.

    – Aristotle

  • Full moon Drumbeg Park May14 2014JH (1 of 1)

    There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

    – Albert Einstein

  • Eagle (1 of 1)

    Look!
    Look!
    Look deep into nature and you will understand everything.

    – Albert Einstein

Let’s begin the journey today!A Life Story is a Gift…

Shaw TV Interview – How I became the Life Story Writer

There is no greater gift than sharing the experiences and wisdom of a lifetime with family and friends.  How do family members know who they are if they don’t know where they came from – their roots? But the challenge is in getting started.

In his book On Writing Well author William Zinsser said:
One of the saddest sentences I know is “I wish I would have asked my mother about that. Or my father. Or my grandmother, or grandfather”…

It is sometimes difficult to write about yourself in a detached manner that provides an interesting read for others.  Many people put off this activity and never find the time. With some encouragement and a good guide, however, it can be a pleasant, rewarding journey to tell your own unique story.

I live on Southern Vancouver Island and can travel to record your memories of past events and the people who have made your life special.  In the comfort of your home this process will be relaxing and enjoyable. It will no doubt be fun too. We will add photos and special documents if applicable, and then we will have your story professionally printed. What a gift – for you, your family, the next generations, and friends – can you imagine holding the book in your hands, seeing it on your coffee table, in your bookcase, reading stories to your grandchildren?  It will be much cherished.

How often have you wished that your forebears had left written stories of their lives?  A family tree may appeal to some, and facts may appeal to others, but stories are how we get to know people and the times in which they lived.

You may not think you have led an exceptional life, but I am sure that through this process, you will end up thinking otherwise. You will have fun, perhaps shed some tears, and remember details you may have forgotten, but overall, you will be thankful that you made this journey into your past. It will be the creation of a special legacy for your sons and daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, or friends; they will be so grateful that your stories are preserved.  Don’t wait – give me a call and let’s get started.

Family and Friends
If you are a family member or friend, here’s the most special gift you will ever find for your loved one. Give the gift of a life story book to a beloved parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend.

Retirement Gift
A book of photos and stories from coworkers makes an amazing and unique retirement gift.

Your Company History
Make it work for you! A short publication packed with personal anecdotes and interesting photographs can be an ideal gift for clients, and a wonderful coffee table book in your office. Highlighting projects and giving clients the opportunity to learn more about the special people who work on them can be a determining factor in developing trust. Posting the business memoir to your website will make your company stand out from all the rest!

  • West Coast Fog

    Posted on October 22, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” Aristotle Onassis

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  • Will that light come again?

    Posted on February 9, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Will that light come again, As now these tears come…falling hot and real!” ― Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Sonnets from the Portuguese Believe that it will, see the stump by the trail – all that remains from a silent stately tree that once reached for the sun. A breathing majestic tree that struggled alone through so […]

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  • “Zen in the Art of Writing” Ray Bradbury

    Posted on June 16, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “And what, you ask, does writing teach us? First and foremost, it reminds us that we are alive and that it is a gift and a privilege, not a right.” ― Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing

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  • “Eternity in an hour”

    Posted on October 7, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “To see a world in a grain of sand And a heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour.” ~ William Blake Waiting for us… if we look outside ourselves and create the space in time Photo © Janice Henshaw 2015 Eagles and seagulls feasting […]

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  • Small Miracles are Everywhere

    Posted on March 23, 2020 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Taking a refreshing deep breath and a moment to look for small miracles in our day can make a whole lot of difference! I noticed in the grocery store that people were keeping their distance, but forgetting to smile at each other. We don’t have to look so grim! Exercise those lips and the lovely […]

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  • The Vagabond Girl – My Story

    Posted on August 19, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Vagabond Top Story

    In early 2012 I was gainfully employed with plans of working until I was 65, doing all the “right things” and trying to squirrel away savings for the future. I was so busy trying to stay abreast of everything that I not only thought life was passing me by in a blur, I knew it […]

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  • Perspectives – our unique way of seeing the world

    Posted on January 26, 2017 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Do you ever wonder why life can’t be simpler and slower, flowing like golden honey rather than rushing by like stacatto footsteps? Filled with more optimism good works, friendship, and understanding? Is it our limited perspective that impedes the flow of so many luscious moments? If so, then how can we…smooth out? Perhaps awareness is […]

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  • “An example of life’s mystery and unpredictability…”

    Posted on May 29, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “I discovered that the horse is life itself, a metaphor but also an example of life’s mystery and unpredictability, of life’s generosity and beauty, a worthy object of repeated and ever changing contemplation.” Jane Smiley (Photo – Horses on Gabriola Island © Janice Henshaw)

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  • Be Gentle With Yourself

    Posted on September 18, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Be gentle with yourself You’re doing the best that you can. And so is your friend, your sister, your children, your co-workers, and all those other people… Photo © Janice Henshaw 2015

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  • Qualities needed for living the good life

    Posted on July 6, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Like fishing, growing your own vegetables probably costs a lot more than dropping in at your local market. However, planting seeds in richly turned black soil, watching the small green shoots grow with sunshine and water, is really fun (well, interesting) and I like to encourage them with a lot of love, hope and sweat […]

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  • Contentment

    Posted on April 14, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.” ― Lao Tzu “A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is […]

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  • Rollick into 2016!

    Posted on January 8, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    2016? How did this new year rollick around so fast? I’ve noticed as I fill out various applications or registration thingamabobs online that I have to scroll ever longer to find my age or birthdate. Sometimes I wonder if the descending numbers will stop before my time and instead of number choices like 20 -25 […]

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  • Taking the time to live

    Posted on June 9, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “How much better to know that we have dared to live our dreams than to live our lives in a lethargy of regret.” ~Gilbert Caplin

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  • Lighten up your picture

    Posted on April 22, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up. ~Allen Klein Photo © Janice Henshaw 2016 Spring tulip

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  • One day in the country

    Posted on December 10, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “One day in the country Is worth a month in town” Christina Rossetti

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  • Golden light just before dark – a promise

    Posted on October 20, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Grayton Beach, Florida Golden light just before dark – a promise.

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  • Beauty requires strangeness?

    Posted on June 11, 2017 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “There is no beauty without some strangeness.” — Edgar Allan Poe How I love that quote! In people, nature, art… it’s what gives us our uniqueness our quirky personalities and if we are generous enhances our love for others and ourselves. Janice Henshaw Photo © 2017

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  • Heading down the road to who knows where?

    Posted on November 6, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    July 7, 2012 It’s late on Saturday afternoon, and I decided it was time to go out exploring. First, I drove to Lizard Lake campground and found out that what used to be a Texas Mickey challenge for young Port Renfrew teenagers is now a well-marked trail all around the lake. We set off into […]

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  • “Life will go on but never be the same…”

    Posted on February 18, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    My February article in Seaside Magazine is available at this link: http://seasidemagazine.ca/ The article is called “Life will go on but will Never be the Same.” “Your heart, beating away – counted upon, mostly ignored, often short on maintenance – until one day, it falters, and your whole life changes…”   *Photograph courtesy of http://www.nuttycake.com/

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  • You can’t really feel what’s going on inside until you go out!

    Posted on July 18, 2019 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Sometimes the hardest thing we can do is manage out time to “get out there.” But if we do, we find that all the balls we are juggling tend to slow down, and their urgency tends to diminish. Our heart rate slows, our brain waves slow, our lungs expand with deeper breaths, and our bodies […]

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Blog Categories

  • Meditative Reflections and Photos
  • Life Stories
  • Vagabond Girl – Travel Stories

Testimonials

I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your web blog.
Keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one today.

Rosalie

What a great book you wrote for our family! It doesn’t get much better than that! MH

I found your writing to be lovely and the pictures are just as wonderful.   Keep writing from your heart.  It shines through your words. Clear, simple and profound.  Thank you for sharing this.  It drew me in and warmed my heart.

Patricia D.

Just lovely!  The photos are beautiful, and the articles are interesting.  I was left wanting MORE! I love, love, love what you are creating.

Lori W.

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Janice Henshaw

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