How To Live

My mom and stepdad purchased this book while they were on vacation waiting for Mikey to arrive.  Since Mikey was (and is) the youngest, my mom decided to let him be the keeper of the book, but as you can see…it has been well-loved.  

Here is the note she wrote him inside.

Mimi’s Note

Dear Michael,

Today we held you for the first time, just a few hours after you were born – and you were wonderful. We look forward to watching you grow and to seeing you write the story of your life, moment by moment. There will be a lot of hard work in your story, I am sure. There always is! But you will also find your islands – real and figurative – and they will fill you and recharge you if you let them. So, dig your toes into the sand and let the wind ruffle your hair (which is, by the way, AMAZING!) and enjoy!

Love, Mimi

P.S. I am sending all of the other grandchildren cards with the basic “Island Message” but you are the keeper of the book that explains it all.

My Thoughts

I couldn’t have written it better myself.  I wish she had lived to see the fine young men her grandsons have grown to be. But she wrote her own life story beautifully and there were many islands, literal and figurative. 

My favorite pieces of advice passed on through this book are:

• Make a splash
• Run with waves
• Ebb and flow
• Cultivate quiet
• Tune up your senses
• Walk tender

Wishing you beautiful islands of your own, my friends. Enjoy😊