Naturally, those in the public eye consider their life stories to be more interesting than the memoirs of us plebeians. Sure, some celebrities have led rich, colourful and exciting lives, especially those whose careers were in travel or entertainment.

During my ghost-writing days, I penned the biographies of the stinking rich and internationally famous. I also penned the life stories of those who have never made the headlines and never will.

But I can tell you that the most readable people are those who appear to be ordinary men and women. Often and unexpectedly those we consider conventional people were cast by fate into extraordinary situations.

Having read the accounts of such people I can vouch for their being far more thought-provoking than kings, queens, celebrities and politicians.

We tend to take people for granted as we go about our daily routine. How would we view outwardly commonplace people differently if everyone wore a ‘magic jacket’. Printed on the back of each jacket is a photomontage that reveals their most important life experiences.

We would see men and women who in life had faced death in battle, carers, nurses and doctors, who had seen life and death and had given much to others. The elderly lady at the checkout; I imagine she might have been a corporate secretary or maybe a globetrotting journalist.

I see an ageing road sweeper who, as a young man, wore the uniform of his country. He was quite prepared to give his life for his nation’s liberty. Over there I see the fetching middle-aged lady who in her twenties was very much a fashion model or sports icon.

Passing the time of day with an elderly gent I see he was once a sea captain. As his wife turns and I study the photomontage on the back of her coat I see a cabaret artiste.

Life would be much more interesting if we were to have printed even one image of what we looked like when young. We see such images on Facebook. It is very much a fun thing to show images of ourselves when we were young and a little more beautiful than we are now.

I have many friends who are also getting on in years. Change is inevitable for us all but I often take a deep breath when I see aging friends as they once were. Marilyn Monroe, and Bridget Bardot, eat your hearts out, ladies. My neighbours, Janice and Maureen were far more attractive when they once strutted their stuff. Furthermore, their lives since have been much more interesting.

Perhaps if a page is set aside for an ‘As We Once Were’ photo collection pulses would be set to race. But please, don’t go over the top; not all of us have a pacemaker fitted. MICHAEL WALSH.

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