"Your past is your story up to now. The future is the story yet to come. The present is where you live with that experience, your hopes and your dreams."

Opening Remarks: Love Your Storys

Oh, and I was supposed to arrive on Christmas day, but my mom went into labor early, so I was born on this day, December 15.

The tradition has continued with my family as my son was born on December 21.

This could all be one big coincidence, but it doesn’t really matter. What is important is how we remember each other’s lives at the same time that we think of Christmas and ponder the meaning of it all. It does make me stop and wonder at it. Wondering is good! (Whether it is Christmas or other special holiday occasions you observe, I think my point applies. And I wish you all the season’s greetings.)

Take the time to recall, honor and treasure your unique life story. Love your life and love your story because it is the gift you give the world.

Thank you to all who continue to read this monthly newsletter and for those of you who have recently subscribed.

You are receiving this e-zine because you signed up for it or someone who is subscribed passed it along to you. If a friend DID forward this to you consider subscribing by visiting our signup page . Also, let me know what you’d like to see more of in this newsletter – simply reply to this email e-zine.

While the main focus of this newsletter is to share thoughts, ideas, and insights on life story writing you should know that I offer various services and also mention some products and services that can be helpful. You are under no obligation to purchase anything, but if any of these products or services are helpful and you decide to utilize them then I am most grateful.

Thanks for reading. – Tom

Featured Article: Price of Legacy

There is a cost to this. It is an investment of time and money. There are numerous ways to preserve your story. You can write a book. Someone can video you and create a videobiography. You could be interviewed and your story recorded to audio. You can even create a web site and preserve your story online. And, of course, you can combine various methods.

Much of the Your Life Is Your Story site is devoted to exploring and explaining how to tell your story. When you explore the options you will see that your financial investment can vary, from a few dollars to thousands. Regardless of what you spend the main point is the value of your life story is priceless.

Money is tight. I understand that. But time is also of the essence. How can you ever justify missing the opportunity to preserve the story of a beloved family member, especially to the younger generations, because you hesitated over the price?

You are probably agreeing with all I’m saying, yet you still have to deal with the reality of the financial investment. I’d delighted to tell you that I’ve discovered another life story service that creates a first-class LifeStory Package, including a high quality hardcover book that tells the life story in a first-person narrative, along with the audio and pictures preserved on a DVD.

The Priceless Legacy Company offers this LifeStory Package at an affordable rate. It is not a “do-it-yourself” option for $50 or less. It is also not a lengthy and expensive full biography that costs thousands of dollars.

This option is well within the means of many families. The process includes enough interview time to get a life overview, or an in-depth revelation of a particular life experience (military, wedding, career, life changing event). The interviews are conducted by a caring and professional individual, your Legacy Consultant. This same individual will also help you select the photographs and memorabilia you want included in your book and will scan them. Additionally, you get up to 100 pictures preserved in a beautiful digital slide show on the accompanying DVD along with the audio from the interviews.

The reason that Priceless Legacy can offer such an outstanding product at a great price is based on the process. The production services and company headquarters are in Dallas and their trained Legacy Consultants are spread across the country (one or more quite possibly living near you). They’ve invested in a quality high-tech and high-touch process. You can find out more by visiting their web site. I highly recommend that you read their company blog for additional insight. It’s maintained by Peter Gudmundsson, the company’s Founder and CEO and he gives great insight into their mission and purpose.

You may find that you have the desire to offer this service to your family and friends. You can become a Legacy Consultant and do this valuable and rewarding work. It is rewarding financially, but also in a way that you cannot put a price on. Preserving a life story – a legacy – is truly priceless!

Find out more about Priceless Legacy here on my site. I’ve included a contact form at the end of the article and I invite you to contact me with any questions or comments. This is one of the best new life story services I’ve come across.

You can read other articles on life-story writing here.

Resources You Can Use

The Priceless Legacy Company is an exciting new company that has created a high-quality / high-tech / high-touch service to preserve life stories.

As detailed in the above feature article, the LifeStory Package includes the audio from the interviews and a digital slide show of photographs, preserved on DVD, along with a beautiful hard cover book with pictures and the life story presented in an engaging first person written narrative. A Legacy Consultant works personally with you every step of the way. And there are opportunities right now to be part of the Priceless Legacy Team and help preserve people’s stories and earn income. It is work you can be both passionate about and proud of. You can find out more here.

MemoryGrabber 4.0

MemoryGrabber is a great downloadable e-book resource to help you put together your life story. Michael Boyter of Family History Products put this valuable resource together and he’s updated and revised it to make it even better.

It’s very affordable (just $14.95), but he’s now made it possible to type and save your information right into the PDF e-book. If you are unsure how to get started on your memoir, autobiography, or life story the MemoryGrabber 4.0 will inspire you and lead you through the practical process of your life history. Find out more here.

Highlight Site

We regularly feature important and valuable life story services and information on our Highlight Site page. You can also check out the vast resources of past Highlight Sites. Go Here

Closing Information

Any comments, ideas or feedback is greatly appreciated. Just reply to this ‘zine and tell me what you think!

Until next time, – keep your story alive!

Tom Gilbert