This is a memoir written for my family. It outlines what little I have managed to piece togetherof my parents and their family histories, together with the story of my own family and the challenges and successesthat have come our way.My parents were both refugees and neither ever really spoke about their past. I regret not having pressed them, as the experiences of their respective families would have been so interesting. Unfortunately, those storieshave now largelybeen lost.As well as providing an historical linkage of the family, I have also written about my career, my connections and my achievements in the contact lens industry. I was fortunate to know many of the early pioneers, including working for contact lens pioneer JosephDallos, who was principally responsible for encouraging me to make contact lenses. Over the years I went on to develop variouslenses, some of which are used worldwide today. How these and other projects came about may be of interest to other contact lens practitioners, ophthalmologists and optometrists, and those who work in the industry.None of this could have been possible without the support of my family, especially my understanding and supportive wife Challis, who not only put up with my crazy ideas and dreams, but has been my lovely soulmate for over 60 years. My life journey and dreams would not have been possible withouther.I truly can say I have had an 'interesting life'.