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!

  • Hadancy the Painting Horse

    Posted on February 17, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    I do a lot of walking but it hasn’t happened before, seeing a white horse sauntering along a quiet island road towards me. In the distance it looked like it was alone, but as I got closer, I saw a woman sitting relaxed on top with no saddle, and no bridle, just a rope looped […]

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  • An orange zinnia just before sunset

    Posted on October 8, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “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

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  • Travel memories and photographs

    Posted on July 3, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Remember when? This photo appeared suddenly today while I was supposed to be doing something important. It made me think about how photos jog our memories and transport us back to a place and time that we may have forgotten, a moment when we were in awe of nature’s magnificence, admiring an architectural delight, creating […]

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  • Finding your way out of the depths

    Posted on October 16, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    The most beautiful people I’ve known are those who have known trials, have known struggles, have known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.” – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Photo Super Moon Oct 2015 © Janice Henshaw

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  • Our attitudes – are everything

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

    “The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.” John C. Maxwell It gives us so much choice, doesn’t it? So much freedom. We can choose the darker, heavier attitudes that will be sure to drag us down and hurt […]

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  • Is it time to leave Fairy Lake?

    Posted on January 1, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    Is it time to leave Fairy Lake? Or should I just think about it? July 10, 2012 Camping hint 101: put away chairs at night or fold up – else you get a wet bum in the morning Last night as I sat beside the fire and listened to the light breeze in the treetops, […]

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  • Looking for the light

    Posted on October 21, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    It had rained hard during the night and everywhere I looked it was dripping, grey and dismal. I walked looking down at the ground to avoid mud puddles and slippery sections. Then I looked up, and saw this light – an open window beckoning me on, at the end of the, er, tunnel – of […]

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  • Fairy Lake Blueberry pancakes and my new inverter

    Posted on December 10, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    FAIRY LAKE Sunday, July 8 Blueberry pancakes for breakfast with maple syrup and butter, and orange juice, yum! I have a warm camp fire burning to keep me warm because the fog is still in and it is cool. I can’t even see across the lake this morning. As the sun came up and burned […]

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  • 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 […]

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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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  • A Pure Clear Moment

    Posted on July 31, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    A Pure Clear Moment It wasn’t until I had climbed up Many seemingly impossible hills Fallen down into the darkness Of unknown ravines, And gotten lost A thousand million times That I began to notice How simple things Without warning or invitation Could draw me in As though to another world Early morning raindrops Pure […]

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  • Nature’s Show

    Posted on October 9, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “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, […]

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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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  • Why bad things happen to good people?

    Posted on January 10, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Is there an answer to the question of why bad things happen to good people?…The response would be…to forgive the world for not being perfect, to forgive God for not making a better world, to reach out to the people around us, and to go on living despite it all…no longer asking why something happened, […]

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  • Emails home – it’s so much fun to use my new camping supplies!

    Posted on November 14, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    July 8, 2012 I love cooking with my new stove and dishes! I found out from the park ranger that I can stay here for 14 days, and I just might do that! I have the best campsite at Fairy Lake, #20, the sun warms me up in the morning, and I can walk right […]

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  • Backing up – it’s not as easy as it looks

    Posted on January 7, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    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 […]

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  • Fog in the valley – South Pender Island Sunrise

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

    Pender Island Sunrise

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  • How can you hesitate?

    Posted on December 11, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    How can you hesitate? Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinion of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth. -Katherine Mansfield   Photo © Janice Henshaw 2014

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  • A new path – and sunlight in November

    Posted on November 18, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    This has to be one of the most beautiful Novembers we’ve had in a long time. Today while walking I met the same fellow I met yesterday going to the park. But today I remembered to take off my bike helmet after my ride. I wonder what he thought yesterday seeing me walk Baloo along […]

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  • A Bagful of Rocks

    Posted on September 24, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    A friend once gave me a lumpy grey rock That was shaped like a heart. Ever since then I’ve been looking For another one, one with vibrant colour, Not just a regular, run of the mill rock, But a PERFECT heart rock.   Last week, while walking in the rain Another friend picked up a […]

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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

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.

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

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