life story writing

Blink and it may be gone

Blink and it may be gone

by Mike Cavanagh My dear old mum used to tell me ‘blink and it’s gone, Michael.’ Like a lot of parental advice that I deemed of little interest to me at the time, as years passed my parents strangely grew in their wisdom. Now they’ve both gone and I look back on all the times […]

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THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFE STORY WRITING

THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFE STORY WRITING

Dad arrived in the mail yesterday. Due to the extremely reductive process of cremation, this formerly handsome man of 90 kilograms could now fit into a small cardboard box. If it were possible, he would be laughing at the absurdity of his final journey. Such is the nature of modern-day death and the available option […]

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Life Stories: A vanity project or history’s first draft

Life Stories: A vanity project or history’s first draft

The gentleman opposite was interviewed for someone else’s biography. He shared the bones of his own story. An incredible tale of migration and thriving despite childhood and other adversities. When I suggested he should write his own life story. His reply was cutting and quick. “I don’t believe in vanity projects,” he dismissed. “Not for […]

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