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!

  • Full Moon over Drumbeg Park, Gabriola

    Posted on May 16, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Dark sky, silent sea An orange edge appears, expands Night’s golden promise.

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  • Ste. Anne, Manitoba, Aug. 12, 2012

    Posted on September 26, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    August 12th, Sunday, Ste. Anne, Manitoba, Lilac Resort $32.00 (Around 270km from Brandon) Mornings are the best! It means that one has survived the night with no exciting wake up calls. It means fresh ground coffee, and a whole new day of adventure waiting just outside my door. What will happen today, tonight, tomorrow? Next […]

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  • The day I fell in love with my 14 foot travel trailer

    Posted on November 27, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    July 9, 2012 When I look at my shiny little trailer I can’t really believe it is mine. I had done so much searching of ads online and studying articles on what to buy. First I thought of a truck and camper, but I didn’t like how it couldn’t be left behind, I couldn’t set […]

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  • “Whole against the sky”

    Posted on July 21, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky. Rainer Maria Rilke Photos © Janice Henshaw

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  • A cup of java on a rainy day

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

    “Have you found that you are growing both more tolerant AND more discerning as you get older? We grow tolerant because we see that life evens things out…On the other hand, we grow more discerning as well, as we realize that our time is precious…” Jennifer Boykin Creator and CEO lifeaftertampons.com

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  • “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

    Posted on December 31, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C. S. Lewis 2014 – Let’s make it our goal to encourage everyone we know to “dream a new dream” in working to save our beautiful planet and all of its miraculous living creatures and amazing life giving plants. We […]

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  • Peace. Be calm in your heart

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

    Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. -author unknown Photograph © Janice Henshaw 2015

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  • Risk Anything!

    Posted on March 11, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “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 […]

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  • Autobiography, Biography, Life story, and Memoir – What is the difference?

    Posted on August 18, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Life Stories

    Photo ©  Janice Henshaw Autobiography, Biography, Life story/Memoir – What is the difference? What do they mean? Autobiography – I write an account about my life, and it could consist of just my viewpoint and memories – it’s all about me! Biography – I write an account of someone else’s life – and most likely, […]

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  • Not health, but healing, not being but becoming

    Posted on March 15, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is […]

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  • A bridge to Gabriola – his dream and mine

    Posted on February 4, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    A fellow had a dream he says, about a bridge linking Gabriola to Vancouver Island. Oh my, I thought, I wonder why he would move to an island and then start to dream about a bridge that would stop it from being an island? Thinking about the ramifications of a bridge had quite an effect […]

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  • Off to the Ferry at Swartz Bay

    Posted on January 10, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    My journey east has begun! I carefully hooked up my trailer at Oceanside RV Park and after a walk to the beach, headed out early to my hometown of Sidney to pick up a coffee before catching the ferry. I was also returning a cooking grate to the hardware store and hoping that I wouldn’t […]

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  • Knowing a place and yourself by walking

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

    “No one can find what will work for our cities by looking at …suburban garden cities, manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities. You’ve got to get out and walk.” — Jane Jacobs, Downtown is for People, 1957 Walking in cities is good, and true for islands too. You’ve got to get out and walk. […]

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  • Cranbrook to Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

    Posted on July 27, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    Monday August 6, 2012 – Cranbrook to Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta – 270 km Waterton Lakes National Park ($30.00) I camped in the Red Rock Canyon at Crandell Lake. It was the only place available as everything else was booked. There are mountains all around us and some have lovely red colours in the rock, hence the […]

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  • Daffodils – a sign of hope

    Posted on March 20, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Buried in the cold dark soil, they lay, hopefully upright until one sunny day they stand bright and graceful dipping in the spring breeze as if they were always there.   A sun gilded promise of warmth and long summer days that will brush away the clouds beckoning, and encouraging us to hope, to believe […]

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  • The magic of enthusiasm

    Posted on December 8, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “There is real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.” – Anonymous Oh to be surrounded by people with enthusiasm! The world becomes a brighter, happier place, infused with light and hope. Photograph © Janice Henshaw

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  • Obatanga Provincial Park Aug. 17, 2012 (247 km)

    Posted on September 25, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    A little boy snagged his lure (a plastic pretend lure) in the high branches of a tree at my campsite early this morning so I helped him to get it down by putting pressure on the lure from another direction. I talked to the little boy and his sister and they told me that their […]

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  • Choices

    Posted on January 25, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Alice came to a fork in the road. ‘Which road do I take?’ she asked. ‘Where do you want to go?’ responded the Cheshire Cat. ‘I don’t know,’ Alice answered. ‘Then,’ said the Cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland Many years ago, when I was young and thought I knew just […]

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  • Grey beauty of our Pacific Coast

    Posted on January 19, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts

    The dark grey beauty of our winter coast – makes us who we are… Photo © Janice Henshaw 2016

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  • Brandon, Manitoba – Aug. 11, 2012

    Posted on September 26, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    August 11th, Brandon, Manitoba – 432 km from Moose Jaw (Wal-Mart Parking Lot $0.00) Brandon Wheat Kings – those words stick together in my mind like peanut butter and jam.  The name of a junior hockey team based nearly 2,000 km from my home: I wonder how I know that piece of trivia? It was […]

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

Testimonials

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.

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

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

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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