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!

  • Sorrow and joy

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

    “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 […]

    Read More

  • 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 […]

    Read More

  • Practice kindness every day…

    Posted on October 13, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Practice kindness all day to everybody and you will realize you’re already in heaven now. That’s the story. That’s the message.” ~ Jack Kerouak Have you ever noticed How a simple act of kindness sticks in your mind, no matter how small? And how an act of selfishness also sticks in your mind? Every moment […]

    Read More

  • Love and Being with the Dying

    Posted on October 22, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Life Stories

    My mother died of lung cancer, a long and painful journey.  It took me several years to find my way out of the sadness. One thing that helped me was to read books about the dying process. I was touched that there are so many loving wonderful people working with people who are dying and […]

    Read More

  • Friendship

    Posted on January 28, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Oh, the comfort – the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, Having neither to weigh thoughts, Nor measure words – but pouring them All right out – just as they are Chaff and grain together Certain that a faithful hand will Take and sift them Keep what is worth keeping And with the […]

    Read More

  • The Muse of Realization – It is yet more difficult than you thought

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

    “There are, it seems, two muses: the Muse of Inspiration, who gives us inarticulate visions and desires, and the Muse of Realization, who returns again and again to say “It is yet more difficult than you thought.” This is the muse of form. It may be then that form serves us best when it works […]

    Read More

  • Posted on December 24, 2017 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” Albert Schweitzer In 2018 may we all be the spark that lights the flame of goodness and hope, love and […]

    Read More

  • Success consists of… ?

    Posted on April 1, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. – Winston Churchill.

    Read More

  • Beautiful Spring

    Posted on April 10, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Like a garden, worth every ounce of effort. Cherry blossoms spring © Janice Henshaw

    Read More

  • A blessing greater than riches

    Posted on April 18, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    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 […]

    Read More

  • 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 […]

    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

  • Stop and smell the roses

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

    “There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.” Epictetus quote Oh, the angst on hearing the news it settles upon us like a dark heavy cloud and for awhile it’s hard to think of anything else. But as time passes […]

    Read More

  • Looking for the light – Grayton Beach, Florida

    Posted on October 25, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.” Helen Keller

    Read More

  • Nests in your hair?

    Posted on October 24, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “That the birds of worry and care fly over your head, this you cannot change, but that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent. ~Chinese proverb Photo © Janice Henshaw 2015

    Read More

  • When you are about to leave a place

    Posted on June 2, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    You get a strange feeling when you’re about to leave a place. Like you’ll not only miss the people you love but you’ll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you’ll never be this way ever again. Azar Nafisi Photo ©Janice Henshaw 2016 Kinuseo Falls

    Read More

  • Trust the dreams…

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

    “Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.” ~Kahil Gibran   Photo – Waterton Lakes falls  © Janice Henshaw    

    Read More

  • Fall is coming, what’s today?

    Posted on September 12, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Fall is coming faster than expected. What happened to summer 2016? One morning I woke up and it was gone. And so it is with today. Today is a one time gift which we can choose to cherish or not. We can make choices such as putting yesterday behind us and for today engage in […]

    Read More

  • Sweet fruit of decades of living

    Posted on February 4, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    From “Life Gets Better” “The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older” by Wendy Lustbader “An unflappable inner stance is often the sweet fruit of decades of living. This does not mean the cessation of all doubt, but rather taking uncertainty in stride. We still get upset, but rarely does upheaval stir us to the core. Our […]

    Read More

  • 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 […]

    Read More

Blog Categories

  • 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.

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’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

Recent Posts

Janice Henshaw

  • 250-893-4587
  • Contact Us

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