Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it. Begin it now. Goethe
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!
Sorrow and joy
“Sorrow prepares you for joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath […]
Imagine a future full of light
Seneca “What I advise you to do is, not to be unhappy before the crisis comes; since it may be that the dangers before which you paled as if they were threatening you, will never come upon you; they certainly have not yet come.” Becoming unhappy about what may happen in the future weighs down […]
Backing up – it’s not as easy as it looks
I did it. I packed up all my goodies, stowed everything away, followed my step by step “Pack up the trailer” instructions that I had written out, took several deep breaths, and then started driving around the campground, and practiced backing up the trailer. Having never done this before I realized right away that it’s […]
“A feeling of wonder”
“It creates a feeling of wonder that so much beauty should be apparently created for such little purpose.” ~ Charles Darwin Photos © Janice Henshaw
Meandering Moments
Last Sunday I was ready for a walk even though it was really cold (for us west coasters that is) and I decided to drive down to Whalebone Road and start from there. It is so much fun to walk somewhere new, enjoying each step, with no particular destination or time limit – without knowing […]
Your path – so different from mine
Your path So different from mine Yet together We can offer support In myriad ways. We are like sentinel trees in the forest Each one unique and separate Connected by roots That grow gnarly and strong Able to withstand storms and drought. The light that fosters their growth Can be felt as we walk And […]
Splash into the Incoming Tide
Discard like unwanted clothes, all thoughts of what you need, who you should be – just splash into the incoming tide and allow the cool silken waves to curl around your bare ankles – and wait for it – the delicious harmony of being fully alive in this moment, without wishing for anything different. […]
Thunder Lake, Aaron Provincial Park, Ontario Aug. 13-14, 2012
Thunder Lake, Aaron Provincial Park, Ontario ($32.00) August 13th I made it to Ontario! And am camped out alone on a narrow piece of land surrounded by the lake (An isthmus? Is this what we studied in geography? A more boring class couldn’t have been designed!). The campsites are lovely, private, forested sites. My initial […]
Fog and getting out of bed
Yesterday morning my alarm woke me and my first thought was to pick it up and heave it across the room. But I remembered in that infinitesimal nanosecond of time that my little Iphone is actually pretty handy, and the bureaucratic hassles of getting a new one are most decidedly not worth one moment of […]
An orange zinnia just before sunset
“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” ― Joseph Addison
Beauty requires strangeness?
“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
Waterton to Medicine Hat, Alberta, August 8, 2012
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Wednesday, Aug. 8th I left Waterton with no regret while knowing that I was being unfair, I did not explore many of its most beautiful trails. The drive to my next city, Medicine Hat was about 300 km, and as I left the mountains behind, I was entranced by the beautiful colours and […]
A blessing greater than riches
I am content; that is a blessing greater than riches; and he to whom that is given need ask no more. ~Mipham Rinpoche (1846-1912) I remember a wonderful holiday to the Hawaiian islands. During our stay, we blew the budget one night and went out for dinner and a show. At the next table sat […]
“It is only kindness that makes sense anymore”
“Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside, you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing. You must wake up with sorrow. You must speak to it till your voice catches the thread of all sorrows and you see the size of the cloth. Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore, […]
Relaxing at Fairy Lake
July 7, 2012 morning I closed up my computer and ate some Hawkins cheezies, simply the best junk food going when I am feeling frustrated. Next on the task list was the job of applying an invisible shield to my cell phone to protect the screen. The instructions said to use water, and a squeegee. […]
Nature’s Show
“Practicing gratitude is a very powerful tool to shift your attention on the things you don’t have to the things you do have and this alone will make you feel better.” Noelia Aanulds, Happiness: Learn How To Be Happy And Boost Your Life When I was taking photos of fall leaves at the rec center, […]
Tough day huh?
Ah, a dark drizzly grey day that makes It easy to sit back And feel sorry for ourselves. Just yesterday we thought We had all our little yellow duckies Lined up perfectly in a row. And then some huge obstacle Morphed out of nowhere and whacked us On the side of our head. Ambush! […]
Risk Anything!
“Risk anything! Care no more for the opinion of others … Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth.” ― Katherine Mansfield If we risked everything to create a world that respected the fragile limits of our home, our planet, its people and living things, it may well be […]




















