Because every life is a story
"A family of love, a lifetime of memories, a ribbon in the wind"
Every life leaves footprints — a story worth telling, and worth keeping. My Story is a beautifully designed journal that invites parents, grandparents, siblings and loved ones of any generation to put their own life into words, one gentle prompt at a time.
Created by Orla Bakeberg and Erica O'Neill, two friends from Erris steeped in Irish heritage, this journal is a doorway to a lifetime of memories — for children, grandchildren and generations still to come.
"Is é an saol neamh-scrúdaithe nach fiú maireachtáil ann" — "The unexamined life is not worth living." ~ Socrates
What Makes This Book Special?
- Thoughtful prompts across a whole life story — from earliest childhood memories, family homes and school days, through leaving home, love and marriage, becoming a parent, right through to reflection and wisdom in later life.
- Beautiful Irish photography by Orla Bakeberg — images from Erris, the Shannon, Wicklow, the Boyne Valley, Malin Head, Valentia Island and beyond, giving every page a sense of place.
- Original illustrations by Farón and Erica O'Neill, including a family tree spread to map out both sides of the family.
- Irish blessings, sayings and gentle wisdom woven throughout, in English and as Gaeilge.
- Room for the small things as well as the big ones — favourite songs, childhood games, superpowers, ice-cream flavours, sit alongside deeper questions on resilience, love, and life's lessons.
Why Families Love This Book
"This book is a treasure chest, filled with questions to capture the precious gems of your life."
- No right or wrong answers — only one person's unique experiences, in their own words
- A gentle, guided way to start conversations that might otherwise never happen
- A keepsake that turns memory into legacy, built one page at a time
- Welcoming for anyone — parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or friend
Peek Inside
- The Beginning of Your Journey (Tús do thurais) — birth, name, family tree, earliest memories, home and community
- The Seed of Your Life Is Your Story (Síol do shaoil é do scéil) — school days, friendships, challenges and celebrations
- Finding Your Path (Ag aimsiú do chosáin) — leaving home, first travels, mentors and dreams
- Love, Family and Life's Adventures (Grá, Teaghlach agus Eachtraí an tSaoil) — meeting a spouse, the wedding day, becoming a parent
- Reflection and Wisdom (Machnamh agus Eagna) — life's lessons, proudest moments and hopes for the future
- More About You (Tuilleadh faoi tú) — extra pages, left open for whatever still needs to be said
The Gift of Memory
Whether for a birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day, or "just because," My Story is a gift of connection. It encourages the quiet power of reflection and the preservation of family stories for generations to come.
"Look into your heart, find your inner magic and let it shine outward."
Begin the Story Today
Available for purchase here.
"Captured Moments, Memories Forever" — Orla Bakeberg
For queries, collaborations, or ordering multiple copies, please reach out via the contact form.
Created in Erris by Orla Bakeberg & Erica O'Neill
Illustrations by Erica and Farón O'Neill
"May embers from the hearth warm your hands. May sunshine from an Irish sky warm your face. May a child's bright smile warm your heart and may everlasting love warm your soul." ~ An Irish Blessing