There are so many questions I wished I'd asked my father before he died...and my mother, and my grandmother. But, alas, it's now too late. My father's life as a boy in Poland - my mother's life as a small girl in Italy - so many fascinating stories of wonderful lives are lost forever if they are not written down. But it's sometimes hard for a close relative to ask questions and often harder for a relative to answer openly to someone they are closely linked with. That's where a professional comes in, someone with the skill to find out those fascinating facts and wonderful memories. 

What do you get for Christmas for the much loved parent or grandparent who already has everything they want? How about their life story in a professionally created book, ensuring their memories live on forever? And it's the gift that keeps on giving as it will enthrall generations to come. Everyone who quotes this blog will receive  A TWENTY PER CENT DISCOUNT off their book if they pay their deposit before the end of September. Prices start at just $400. Call Rebecca on 0401 808 335 TODAY! 

A lady for whom I am creating a life story book has traced her ancestors back to her great great grandfather. It turns out that his brother's son, Richard, was the man whom Dirty Dicks was named after! 

Richard  set up his wedding feast in London for his marriage the following day but that night his fiancee tragically died. So distraught was he that he refused to wash, change his clothes or let anyone touch the room and even when his cats died he just left them where they were (see picture).  People came from all over England to see this eccentric, dirty man. After he died the premises were made into a bar and the cobwebs, cats and dirt were left - until health and safety authorities cleaned it up years later. Dirty Dicks in London still exists and Australia's Dirty Dicks theatre restaurant also continues to tell this famous story. It's also believed that the story of Dirty Dick inspired Charles Dickens to create the character of Miss Haversham in Great Expectations.

This is a picture of the most popular 60-page book which can contain around 10,000 words and approx 40 images.  

It is a luxuriously produced book with fabric cover, acid free paper which avoids any image see through onto the next page.

It is a beautiful book with an unusual button-close feature which comes in its own elegant protective case.

And just in case you are wondering, that's a picture of me when I was a baby with my proud father!

I interviewed a lovely lady recently for a life story, whose memory was starting to get pretty scratchy. As I was leaving her I asked just on spec if she had ever written anything down about her life. She said,
" Just a little bit in a folder, but more about previous homes and furniture, nothing really of interest." But I asked to borrow the folder anyway, just in case.

Once home I found I had discovered the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow...buried treasure...the most exciting, detailed reminiscing you rarely see. Wonderful family stories dating back several generations and even including letters, birth certificates and amazing old images. None of her family knew of the existence of this folder and she herself had no idea what wonderful content it contained. This is going to be an incredible life story book. Thank goodness I asked that one simple question...it will certainly be something I always ask from now on in...

I am working on an amazing life story of a man who fell in love with learning. He came from an extremely poor background in Malaysia but was determined to get an education. Not only did he manage to study up to PhD level but he spent much of his life helping other disadvantaged youngsters in Malaysia to become educated. What an inspirational man. I consider myself exceptionally lucky to have heard this fascinating story and to be credited with the responsibility of writing his life story.

I just love the stories I hear when I'm writing people's life stories. One concerns the Silver Jublilee in 1935 of King George V. One lady vividly recalls this day and how all school children were given drinking mugs, medallions and free tickets to the cinema. The movie showing at the time was Henry V111 and when the word 'bloody' was blanked from the sound, all the children shouted it out in unison! The lady who remembers this so well said "needless to say only council school kids were given these treats as I'm sure no private school kids would have shouted out this out!!" 

A life story book about the person you love is the best gift not only for the person whose life is featured - but for all the generations yet to come.

But finding someone who can do this for you is hard to find - only a few people around the world specialise in writing life stories.

I not only write them but I produce beautiful hand-bound books telling their story in both words and pictures.

There is still time to make an appointment to have your book ready for Christmas. For an older person who already has everything they want and need - this makes the BEST Christmas gift. Phone Rebecca now on 0401 808 335 to ensure this Christmas is one of memories that last forever...

This is a Moleskine leather bound book I've recently created - the black leather is very stylish! It's ideal for a story of how a couple met, their wedding or even for a someone's complete life story - and one would certainly make a unique and classy guest register for everyone at a ceremony to sign. The pages lie flat and there is even the same strip of elastic to keep the book closed as you get on a  those classic Moleskine notebooks. Remember them?