The Life Story Writer
  • Home
  • Services
  • Sample Life Stories
  • Testimonials
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • 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!

  • It’s good to feel lost

    Posted on December 17, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Yesterday, the morning light came late because a grey blanket of fog lay settled between the trees. I thought that it would be the perfect gloomy and intriguing day to explore the Cedar Tree Park Reserve. After finding the trail head off North Road, I parked and then Baloo and I followed the path into […]

    Read More

  • Almost 2,400 years ago

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

    Almost 2,400 years ago Aristotle identified effective values in living a good life, strength of character that include honestly, kindness, self-control, and courage. The “good life,” according to Aristotle, is defined by acting in accordance with these values – which he called virtue- over and above the influence of fleeting feelings and desires. All decisions […]

    Read More

  • 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 […]

    Read More

  • 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 […]

    Read More

  • “Know that you have plenty of spirit”

    Posted on January 27, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Know that you have plenty of spirit; for even before you began to equip yourself with maxims which were wholesome and potent to overcome obstacles, you were taking pride in your contest with Fortune; and this is all the more true, now that you have grappled with Fortune and tested your powers. For our powers […]

    Read More

  • Who says life has to be so serious?

    Posted on November 1, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    EEK! Who says life has to be soooo serious? I think I may go out right now in the torrential rain and dance around in the long grass and perhaps splash through a very large mud puddle…for the fun of it. Who says life has to be soooo serious? When I look in the mirror […]

    Read More

  • Don’t let the elephant get you down…

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

    “When one feels pulled to do a particular thing, when one has passion for a certain life path, karma is always involved. In such an instance, when the goal is worthy and makes one happy, one should continue on that same life path. Just because the elephant cannot carry you anymore doesn’t mean you should […]

    Read More

  • “Sometimes it’s a boat, and sometimes it’s more of an Accident.”

    Posted on May 26, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Now then, Pooh,” said Christopher Robin, “where’s your boat?” “I ought to say,” explained Pooh as they walked down to the shore of the island, “that it isn’t just an ordinary sort of boat. Sometimes it’s a Boat, and sometimes it’s more of an Accident. It all depends.” “Depends on what?” “On whether I’m on […]

    Read More

  • “Force our wings to unravel”

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

    “I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it. Because it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight.” ~ C. JoyBell C. Photograph © […]

    Read More

  • 7 Days of looking for the light.

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

    7 days of looking for the light – what a gift it has been in showing me how I can miss it. And if I am looking for it – how easy it is to find it. “Light is creation. Darkness is the space necessary to create.” ― Erica Jasmin Cartaya

    Read More

  • Sweet Darkness – David Whyte

    Posted on July 19, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Sweet Darkness When your eyes are tired the world is tired also. When your vision has gone no part of the world can find you. Time to go into the dark where the night has eyes to recognize its own. There you can be sure you are not beyond love. The dark will be your […]

    Read More

  • Thunder Lake, Aaron Provincial Park, Ontario Aug. 13-14, 2012

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

    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 […]

    Read More

  • A Life Story is a Gift…

    Posted on October 20, 2013 by tlsw_admin in all posts, Life Stories

    A Life Story is a Gift… 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? The challenge is in getting started. It is sometimes difficult to write […]

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More

  • A walk in the rain

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

    It’s raining lightly, always a good time to pull on comfy boots settle your favourite hat just so, and go for a walk in the woods.   The damp pungent smells Will make you realize how it feels Just to breathe. Silence will envelop you and each curve of the path settles you exactly where […]

    Read More

  • Meandering Moments

    Posted on December 13, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    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 […]

    Read More

  • Hiking and bears – Waterton Lakes National Park – Aug. 7, 2012

    Posted on July 28, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    Tues, Aug. 7th Waterton Lakes National Park After the blissful start to a day of sunshine, coffee and breakfast the first thing on my agenda was to drive out to the Red Rock Parkway. It is fifteen miles through the Blakiston Valley, and follows an ancient bison trail. Along this route, there is a great […]

    Read More

  • Loving with a Clear View

    Posted on June 27, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing through the eyes of love rather than through the blinders of assessment. It’s why we love our pets so much. They accept us as we are wholly and without any explanations or complications. Perhaps they are visitors from another dimension living examples of present moment living, blissfully happy to […]

    Read More

  • Rainbows and Dolly Parton

    Posted on July 25, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with the rain.” – Dolly Parton   Right on Dolly! Photograph of double rainbow at Twin Beaches, Gabriola Island © Janice Henshaw

    Read More

  • Freedom to change

    Posted on April 25, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    There are as many worlds as there are kinds of days, and as an opal changes its colors and its fire to match the nature of a day, so do I.” ― John Steinbeck

    Read More

Blog Categories

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

Testimonials

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.

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.

Recent Posts

Janice Henshaw

  • 250-893-4587
  • Contact Us

(c) 2017 The Life Story Writer - Website by Nikkles Design Agency