Celebrating 5 years by looking back at another one of my first projects!
So special this project because it was capturing and celebrating MY DAD’s life story!
My sisters and I thought we knew him so well because we had spent our young lives growing up with him, and hearing what we thought was ALL of his stories. But having him take us through those black and white photos of his ancestors and of him growing up prompted so many new memories and more stories. Priceless!
We love the great new discoveries we learned about him through this process — revealing impactful events and influential people that shaped him as a young man, adult, parent and now grandparent.
Check out how he describes the experience of reflecting on his life! And how he gained some valuable peace of mind along the way.
“When I would look back on my life, it was just a blur, now it is documented!”
Allen Shields (July 2016)
This book and the experience of creating it is at the top of my list of favorite gifts from my girls.
I thoroughly enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
It helped me realize that I have led about five or six different lives and that I’ve accomplished more in my life than I give myself credit for.
Lately, when I would look back on my life, it was just a blur, now it is documented and captured for me to reference any time I want.
Most people want to put their photos in order, and now I can put a big check by that.
It is such a great feeling having it done and organized, real peace of mind.
And it’s more than just having my photos in order, it’s a biography.
One of the things I miss most about my mom is that she was a catalog of information, I could go to her for family information dates and facts.
Now I’m the catalog for our family.
I wish I had documented more of what she said when she was around.
I would strongly encourage people to make notes on the back of their photos, because they won’t mean much to your loved ones without some context of who, what, when & where.
This experience gave me more time with my daughters which may have been my favorite part of the project.
I love seeing and hearing what they learned and inherited from me and what they admire about me.
I can’t think of a better gift they could have given me.
I’m so blessed.
~Allen Shields
(Gift from his daughters to document his legacy: Allen Shields — A Lifetime of Building (92 pages, 531 pictures – Legacy Package)
Do you have a loved one celebrating a milestone moment in 2022? A retirement, graduation, big “oh” birthday or anniversary — then consider giving them the gift of lifetime, the gift of telling their life story.
Find out how we can make it happen by scheduling a Complimentary Curator session. It’s FREE!
