STORIES BROUGHT TO LIFE
Lifetime Legacy’s stunning ‘Magical Moments’ book is perhaps only missing one thing – your stories. As a vehicle for recording personal life stories in a one-on-one interview with your own writer, the experience is remarkably easy and enjoyable. Artistically illustrated native birds and flowers form a delightful backdrop, an apt setting to life stories being lived in New Zealand.
Mother and daughter team Joanne Cormack and Jasmin Bristowe – writer and videographer at Lifetime Legacy – transcribe a person’s stories into the book before it goes to print.
Ten life-stage sections form its basis, with personal photographs and the sharing of well-earned wisdom a key feature, and all with a view to creating an heirloom for future generations of one’s family.
The final book run, of perhaps ten or twenty, are store-quality, engaging coffee-table pieces. Jo’s passion for honouring the passing down of stories is inspiring.
“A person’s stories are the greatest legacy of their lifetime and have enduring value to future generations of their family. As digital print and video become increasingly viable, more everyday New Zealanders are recording their stories,” Jo says.
Lifetime Legacy also offers Living Legacy Videos where, in a one-on-one interview, a person shares their stories, life events, and memories, all within the relaxed setting of their own home.
“Imagine how wonderful it would have been to have viewed your own great-greats talking about their lives. It wasn’t an option back then, but it is now,” Jo says.
“Our framework supports people who want to be intentional about gifting their stories forward. It gives them a structure for the production of their book or video.” So often people don’t get around to recording their stories. Even if it’s what is considered a bucket list item, sometimes this important and integral part of recording your personal heritage is side-lined. This is usually because people ‘just don’t know where to start’, according to Jo.
“At Lifetime Legacy, we make it happen, and in the process, we make it a fun and rewarding experience.”