As we celebrate Seniors Month, it seems fitting to begin this blog by sharing a little about myself and how I found my way to this work that has become such an important part of my life.

My fascination with stories began long before Precious Words existed.

As a young boy, I spent many wonderful days visiting my grandparents in the small town of Renfrew, Ontario. They loved to entertain, and it seemed there was always company stopping by. Whenever guests gathered around the dining table or in the living room, I found myself captivated by my grandfather. He was an incredible storyteller.

I would sit quietly and watch as people hung on every word. They laughed together, they reflected together. Sometimes they felt the sadness of a difficult memory. His stories created connection. They brought people closer. To me, ayoung boy, it seemed like magic.

What fascinated me wasn’t just the stories themselves. It was the impact they had on the people listening. Without realizing it, those moments planted a seed that would stay with me for the rest of my life.

I have always been curious about people’s stories. I am inspired and educated by the experiences of those who have endured and enjoyed more days of life than I have. Every person I meet has lived through challenges, celebrations, losses, triumphsand lessons that have shaped who they are today. There is wisdom in those experiences, and I have always felt drawn to it.

For nearly forty years, I worked in the automotive industry. It was a rewarding career, but after completing a contract in February 2022, I knew it was time for a change. The industry had changed significantly, particularly following the pandemic, and I was feeling burned out.

When people asked me what I planned to do next, my answer was always consistent:

“I don’t have a clue, but I’ll know it when I find it”. I trusted that something meaningful would reveal itself.

Initially, I thought I might help people write eulogies. That idea soon evolved into helping seniors preserve their life stories. The more I learned about the process, the more I discovered the profound benefits that come from reflecting on one’s life, sharing memories and connecting with others through storytelling.

Then something unexpected happened. I enrolled in a Guided Autobiography facilitator training program, largely because I thought it would be a useful credential to add to my LinkedIn profile. Three weeks into the program, I had a profound realization that changed everything. This is it! This is exactly what I am supposed to be doing!

I knew then that I wanted to bring this experience to as many senior living communities and as many older adults as possible. I wanted to create spaces where people could share their stories, connect with others, reflect on their lives and preserve their memories for future generations. Today, Precious Words is the result of that journey.

What I didn’t expect was how much these stories would give back to me. Every workshop participant, every memoir client and every conversation reminds me that there is no such thing as an ordinary life. Time and again, people tell me, “My life isn’t that interesting”, only to share stories of resilience, courage, humour, love, sacrifice and adventure. The truth is that every life contains moments worth remembering.

As someone who is deeply spiritual, I often reflect on how fortunate I am to have found this path. I feel revitalized, energized, motivated, fulfilled and above all, blessed. It is an absolute privilege and honour to work with the generation that helped shape our communities, raise our families, and create the world we enjoy today.

During Seniors Month, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your own story or the story of someone you love. The memories you carry may seem ordinary to you, but they are often extraordinary to those who hear them.

After all, every story matters.