|
"Like many people, I am just not a writer, so you can imagine that I was excited and pleased to come across this guide. I had sat down on many occasions trying to put my life memories to print. It just wasn't happening. I had all but given up. This manual helped me organize my thoughts and stories so that I could better tell them to my daughter like we were just having a Sunday afternoon visit. She took care of the recording, so it was all so very very easy. It was such a great experience for myself, and I think for my daughter. We shared many laughs and a few tears. We now have all of my stories on audio CDs and have given copies to each of my children and grandchildren. Much to my surprise and delight, my grandson has started to transcribe them! I'm 85 years old, it warms my heart to know my stories will continue to entertain, or even provide some insight for my family for years to come." Mary T. North Bay, Ontario, 2016. "This story-teller and listener approach to collecting life stories is something anyone wanting to know about a family or loved one's life history should try. It has uncovered life stories about my grandma that I had never before heard. Over the years I had heard my grandma tell many stories from her past, but not until I sat down with her as an intentional "listener" did I learn the details of these stories and how her early life experiences influenced her decisions later in life. I was also very surprised at the number of stories that I was hearing for the very first time. It makes me wonder how many interesting and valuable family stories are left untold. So glad to have recorded these treasures and for the irreplaceable precious time that I got to spend with my grandma to collect them."
Amanda H., Toronto, 2016 “As a minister and psychotherapist I know the value of telling our story to a skilled listener so that others and ourselves may hear it from “the horse’s mouth so to speak.” Ms. Ferguson’s beautiful process of interviewing and production of a beautiful book with an audio CD, including important life pictures is a blessing to anyone wanting to leave a legacy of their take on their unique and beautiful life. I highly recommend this life story writing process to those I see professionally and personally.” Clark S. Reed, M. Div, Psychotherapist, Florida, 2012
“It is with pleasure and gratitude that I thank Lucy for her guidance and special listening skills in recording my memoirs as a family legacy for my children and their children so that they might have a peek into my life. It has been a special and unique experience. Lucy is most accommodating and truly a professional.” Rita Tangney, (84 years) , Mt. Forest, 2011 " I am so grateful to have stumbled upon this life story approach at our local senior's centre. Our family wanted to preserve our mother's stories, but to date had been unsuccessful in getting them recorded. With our mother at 90 years of age, we knew our window of opportunity was shrinking. Lucy's step by step guidance and interview questions were just what we needed. We now have our mother's memoirs in a beautiful book as well as in her own voice! Her stories will continue to entertain her family for generations to come." Joan S. Fergus, 2013
"Recording my mother's life stories has been a gift I shall forever cherish. We recorded her stories in 2010. She passed away this spring, 2016. At her memorial service, my daughter (her granddaughter) read a number of my mother's stories including her words of wisdom — all in my mother's own words. It was priceless. A true celebration of the essence of her life. I recommend Lucy's process to all who want to capture a loved one's stories. Her process can be done in a relatively short amount of time, and trust me, the end product is a gift that keeps on giving. Don't let the opportunity pass." John W. ,Guelph, 2016
“It’s so nice that you have helped me record my life stories. You’ve really helped me recall and express stories from my life in a way that I would not have been able to on my own. And now I have a beautiful book that my children and grandchildren can enjoy for many years. My nieces and nephews are also very interested in my book. Their parents have all passed away, so It pleases me that I can still give them some information about their family history." Maria Jacobs (93 years), 2015 "Our family wish to thank you for “Expressions of Wisdom”. It has been an inspiring and life-altering gift for all of us. Our mother’s memoirs are a precious keepsake and legacy that will live on forever. Your patience and guidance have been professional and endearing. Thank you, Lucy, for being so wonderful with our mother." The Tangney Family, Mt. Forest, 2012
“One of my treasured possessions as an older person is an audiotape that we recorded of a Christmas with my mom, dad, and brother 35 years ago. Hearing their voices is still a moving and impactful experience for me. Ms. Ferguson’s unique process of interviewing me and producing a lovely book and CD of that interview is a gift that I want available for my great-grandson, Ramey, who is one year old, and any other members of my family who might be interested in how I saw my life. Telling our stories to a sensitive ‘listener’ clarifies what we value and who we are. Thanks, Lucy!” Clark Reed (75 years) 2011
"For my 80th birthday, my family gave me this memoir writing process as a gift. I think it's one of the nicest gifts that I have ever received - knowing that my children and grandchildren want to hear my stories. I thought to myself "you know, you're not going to be around for the future generations, so I decided to preserve them." Joseph S. (84 years), Waterloo, 2010 "Over the past few years I’ve thought about recording some of the stories about my life as well as my father’s. He had some interesting stories to tell, and I always enjoyed listening to them. As the years go by, his stories are starting to fade in my memory. So I wanted to get them recorded while I still could. I also have a few stories from my own life, some which I have mentioned to my children over the years, but others that I may not have. I think it’s good to have them recorded in my own words rather than relying on someone’s memory and the interviewing process made it easy and enjoyable. I think my children and grandchildren may get a kick out of my stories some day. Ted Woods, Guelph, 2009
“I wanted to record my life stories so my family will have them for years to come. I have always wished that my parents had recorded their stories. Oh, they had wonderful stories that have now become faded over the years. I have had an interesting and wonderful life, and I want to share those memories with my family. I am so very thankful that my family introduced me to this process — a little bit of me will linger for generations to come.” Albert Taylor, Guelph, (89 years) 2008 |
Vertical Divider
View our guide.
|