“Grandpa, what did you used to do?” This question, coming from an inquisitive seven year old, made me pause and reflect.  There was so much I had done - after all I was about eighty years old, “a lot of water under the bridge” as they say.  But what had I done?  Let's see, I had been born in the third decade of the twentieth century.  That was certainly a story in itself.  What a tumultuous time to be born!

Living through those early years was something of a feat when considering the miracles of medicine, science and technology of today.  Surviving the war years, marriage, the births of children, the deaths of those close by, the accomplishments and the unusual, these are stories yearning to be told.

These stories can come together to form a Life History Book - your life story. The desire to “bring to life” through the pages of a hard cover book, “the history of a life”, has become vital to many people.  Without a written history, the story of a life becomes only a faded memory, and what a shame that is. 

So many of us believe that we have lived “ordinary lives.” This just isn't true.  Each life is unique.  The events surrounding birth, the growing through the early years, the losses, the triumphs … they have all happened in uniquely different ways.  What would you like to be remembered for?

Life histories are not reserved for celebrities only.   Everyone has a story to tell. This story becomes your legacy.  This story with all its excitement and extensions becomes recorded history. And, ultimately, this story will be there in a beautiful hard cover book full of text and pictures to be reflected upon and enjoyed over and over.

Proud accomplishments, stirring events, are allowed to live on.  An actual family heirloom has been created.  Priceless!

Today's world has its challenges as did yesterday's.  The events and challenges of another time are fascinating to children.  They want to know what grandpa/ma “used to do”.  What was life like?  Why not tell them in a book?

Michael Helesic is a personal historian
604.924.9616
E mail 2mh@telus.net

copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Dec 05 - Jan 06