Testimonials

'We take pride in what we do'.

When I arranged for TIME OF YOUR LIFE to sit with my father and record his past, I could not have predicted the insights that would unfold as he related his story. A man of few words he conveyed the geography clearly and generously. By mapping his reflections into a reasonable format, TIME OF YOUR LIFE helped me to understand Dad anew. His ideals and values had suddenly become more immediate and vital. Best of all, everything that was important to him could now be evoked by the turning of a page. Being able to give a copy of his life story to each of my children was a rare privilege.

Working with Jolie to gather material for the end product was also a privilege. Nothing was too much effort and I found her to be consistently patient, thorough and professional throughout.

There were benefits for my father too and those benefits continue. At the rest home where he resides the biography is used as a talking point. At regular intervals, an excerpt will be read from the manuscript which jogs the memories of other residents and inspires lively discussion.

If you're considering commissioning TIME OF YOUR LIFE to write a biography, I have only this to say: Don't procrastinate another day.

Fiona Craig

When I became aware that Alison Harrington had made a career change and was writing peoples’ life stories, it was just the catalyst I needed to have my parent’s story professionally written. I have known Alison for 25 years as a respected teacher at Reporoa College and member of the community.

Alison’s decision to action a career change fell beautifully into our lap. My parents had a story to tell, most of which I knew but I was conscious of the fact that it had never been documented. Alison was the person for the job. Alison has a sense of humour, an ability to stay on task, she relates well to all people and, as in her teaching, works hard to get a good result. My parents also knew Alison and, once persuaded that the idea was a good one, thoroughly enjoyed the process and Alison’s company.

The end result is that we now have, for future generations, a superb record of their life story, “As we Remember it. Our Family, our Faith, our Farm.”

If anyone has a story that needs recording, I can thoroughly recommend that you contact TIME OF YOUR LIFE. Do it now – every day is important.

Alan Wills

We are really thrilled with “The Legacy”… in fact I (Inez) did a little weep as Alison gave them to us!

Copies have already been posted or given to cousins and even one is in Queensland, Australia… Our daughters and family think we, you and the TIME OF YOUR LIFE team included, are amazingly clever. Thank you for the contribution that you put into it. The setting out is so interesting to read and pictures clear to look at.

The “history” is a special feature to all who are reading it, as mostly they didn’t know it.

Again, many thanks

Inez and Norm Andrew

Seeing my life story in print has given much pleasure. I was struggling to put my story together when a friend told me about the girls of Time of Your Life, known to me as the 3 JJJs. They each contributed their expertise and helped to make my story come to life. I had reached 85 and thought it was now or never to tell my story to my grandchildren.

Alex Wood

For some years, my wife and I have had the desire to put together a book on her grandfather’s life. He was a Swedish sailor who jumped ship in Wellington. We had a lot of information collected from various sources including input from Swedish relatives. However we were at a loss to know just how to get started. We also lacked the computer skills to lay the book out attractively.

Having seen a sample of a life story completed by TIME OF YOUR LIFE and we were most impressed with the professional way it had been set out as well as the attention to detail.

We rang TIME OF YOUR LIFE and Jolie helped set us on the right track then set out our book, scanning our photographs and after proofreading arranging for the finished copy to be printed.

So far our family have ordered 65 copies of the book and orders still continue to come in every week. We have had a lot of compliments on the layout and professional finish and while we would like to take credit for this, it is entirely due to TIME OF YOUR LIFE’s involvement.

If you, like us, have the desire and enthusiasm, but not the knowledge to record your life or family history, I would thoroughly recommend TIME OF YOUR LIFE to you. We really enjoyed working with Jolie. Nothing was too much and she had great patience with us “oldies”.

Kevin Futter

I came across a publication in 2010 on what one could do in retirement and I found an article for TIME OF YOUR LIFE offering assistance to record life stories.

At 85 years of age, I wanted to record something of my childhood for my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren which now number nine, and so A Childhood during the Great Depression covers the years from my birth until my marriage. This book was well received by my family, cousins and old school friends. One cousin said to another, "I think there is another book in there" which got me thinking. So in 2011 I contacted TIME OF YOUR LIFE and Memoirs has since been published covering a wide range of my involvement in the community and our travels around the world.

I have no hesitation in recommending TIME OF YOUR LIFE to anyone who may be thinking of recording their own life story.

Margaret E. Baylis

I thoroughly recommend the services of TIME OF YOUR LIFE.

The services offered adapted to my personal needs while providing constructive helpful ideas and events in which to focus on.

Jolie helpfully researched and added informatively to the book which provides assistance to readers understanding the 'by gone' era.

This has resulted in a beautifully bound, well presented book in which I am extremely proud. This book is and will be a lasting quality treasured family heirloom.

The benefit of Jolie's professional assistance certainly has made this experience rewarding and a pleasure in being able to record and share my life's happenings with family and friends.