My name is Jody Page Walker Hockett Murphy. I seems only fair that I
share some of my own life story so you have a sense of where I come from and
why I'm happiest when helping folks record and publish their family stories
and priceless memories.I was born in
Richmond, Virginia on November 6, 1952. Ours was a military family -
Air Force. We had two overseas assignments that were fabulous -- Bermuda and
South Korea. The less exotic tours of duty were spent in middle
America -- Kansas and Ilinois. When you call a new place "home" every
couple of years, you quickly learn the fine art of blooming where you're
planted. That's a talent that has served me well.
I was supposed to attend the University of
Kansas, but two days before I was to leave (on a Trailways bus), Vietnam war
protesters bombed the student union building and two students were killed.
We were stationed in Alabama at the time, so I ended up going to the
University of Alabama instead. Doesn't it amaze you how one seemingly
simple shift can so completely alter the course of your life?
I certainly never considered myself a
Southern girl, but I ended up living in Alabama almost half my life!
All told, 24 years -- from student, to wife to single mom with a wonderful
son (Jay), now 29 and all grown up. In addition to a long stint in broadcasting
and studio production,
I choreographed and taught aerobic dancing classes in the 70s and early 80s, supervised
the construction of and ran a YMCA and earned a Master's Degree in
Counseling and Behavioral Studies in the mid- to late-80s, and worked as a Service
Coordinator for people with brain injuries in the 90s.
Then, in 1995, another one of those "simple
shifts" landed on my doorstep. My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer
and I moved back to Richmond to care for my grandmother until he got well. There's lots more to this story, but I'll save that until we meet.
Stories have always played a significant role
in my life
When my only sibling (Chris) was a baby, I'm told
that I would sit by his crib and read to him for hours every day. In
the 5th and 6th grades, I found a larger audience. After recess on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, I was dispatched to "tell tales" to appreciative 1st
and 2nd graders. In high school, I grew even bolder and took to the
stage as an actor. Complete strangers actually paid money to see us
perform! I even sang a solo as Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. Truly a miracle since, as my son will tell you, I cannot carry a tune!
Throughout my adulthood, I've made my
living writing and sharing stories. For many years after college, I wrote and voiced radio
commercials. Telling a memorable and persuasive story in only 30
seconds isn't as easy as it sounds. I've worked in my own business
as a freelance researcher, writer and editor for all kinds of small
businesses. In my free time, I've led journaling and life story
writing workshops and, recently, I've gotten hooked on creating digital
story books and family story websites.
I am a
founding sponsor of the "Because We Care" campaign in Richmond, Virginia,
which supports the good works of the National
Caregivers Library. I have a soft spot for all family caregivers and
their loved ones. Many of the workshops and presentations I give today were
inspired by my years as a family caregiver and the connections I made with
other families, hospice volunteers and health care providers.
My true passion is working with people to
collect and preserve their life stories and family heritage. It
is work that
allows me to combine the best of my skills - interviewing,
listening, creative amalgamation and producing lasting things that matter.
At my core, I believe that every life
has worth and dignity and that each life’s story should be
preserved. My commitment is to do whatever one person can to accomplish that
goal.Many of the people I work with are in the autumn of their years.
Assisting them with the preservation of their personal histories and life lessons is
both a privilege
and a service. I would love being the story catcher for your loved
ones, arranging the mosaic bits from their life's journey into an authentic
family heirloom.
I have a
knack for blending interviews with treasured photographs and other
keepsakes into a first person account your family can celebrate now and also pass down to
future generations, many of whom haven't even been born yet.
I hope you'll invite
me to help bring your family heritage to life. Give me a call and
let's get started. |
Serving Central Virginia, Charlottesville, Williamsburg and surrounding areas
