I recently heard Rosanne Cash say in an interview that the greatest gift her father (Johnny Cash) gave her was his list of 100 essential country music songs. This got me thinking, what would be on my list of essential books that I’d give to my kids?
Please welcome my guest, Eli Pacheco, loving father, passionate soccer coach, and hilarious writer. I met Eli through his Coach Daddy Blog; every one of his posts not only makes me laugh, but also gets me thinking. Visit him often for a refreshing dose of wit and a little bit of junk food. I’m thrilled he’s here today to share his “essentials” for his three girls. Get ready to smile. 😉
My dad and I didn’t spend a lot of time talking books.
Football, yes. Life, sure. Women … let’s just say dad was a Mary Ann guy.
Me? Ginger.
One book my dad did tell me about was Catcher in the Rye. The angst-driven teen antagonist Holden Caulfield struck a chord somewhere in my father. And I felt it too, on some level. I always remembered that. Even as we rooted for rival football teams and drifted to opposite ends of the political spectrum.
Julia Tomiak has given me a unique opportunity today.
I’ve collected three books, three CDs and three quotes to lock into a time capsule for my three daughters. Some choices were easy; others took some digging. Which books, CDs and quotes would you wrap up for your kids?
3 Books
Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway
I first read this book as a high school senior. I’ve taken it on every trip I’ve taken since. Each time I read it, it says to me something different. I still can’t, after more than 20 years reading it, describe just how the characters have helped to shape me. But they have.
They Call Me Coach, John Wooden
I wish I could have spoken with the late great coach once, just once. He definitely spoke to me. His emphasis on the individual’s role on the team inspires me as a coach and dad. Humility, hard work, and faith fueled a man far greater than the national championship banners he helped to win.
Call of the Wild, Jack London
This was my first real book – that didn’t have pictures or a choose-your-own-adventure ending. I still have the copy I scribbled my name in as a kid. This book made me feel grown up; I had to read about a harsh reality, but also love and loyalty. I might not have recognized it, but it was there.
3 CDs
Rhythm of the Saints, Paul Simon
I found this as a teenager, too, and the messages and voices I heard weren’t always understood. But they were always pondered. To me, the album took bits of time and place and strung them together in this brilliant parade of words. All with a tribal, earth-bound drumbeat.
Listen Without Prejudice, George Michael
Thoughtful, and moody. I found this album during college. My friends went to fight in the first Gulf War, and I stayed behind to flounder as an English major at UNC Charlotte. “Freedom” stirred me (still does). “Praying for Time” didn’t give me the answers I sought, but it shaped my search.
Blue Light, Harry Connick Jr.
I used to go to the Cone Center at UNCC and rent this CD while I studied. It was the counterbalance to the heavy feel of George Michael’s album, perhaps. Here’s what’s cool: “He Is, They Are” is about a dad and his kids. I was years from kids … but these words planted the seeds for me.
3 Quotes
These three quotes sum up what is so important to me – stewardship to my fellow-man, sharing our stories, and keeping dreams alive, no matter how old we get.
The Emerson quote is often said to be credited wrongly; it doesn’t matter to me. It’s the message of finding fulfillment in improving the conditions around you. Phillip Putnam put just the right weight on stories. What are we without them? Blogs would be nothing more than pumpkin recipes without stories.
And lastly – Elvis. I still believe in what The King says. No, I didn’t end up being even Elvis the Pelvis, but I continue to dream like I did as a kid. I’m the quarterback. The humble star. The superhero.
I’d love for my kids to find a little of that in their capsule, too.
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.
Phillip Putnam
When I was a boy, I always saw myself as a hero in comic books and in movies. I grew up believing this dream.
Elvis Presley
Now it’s your turn. Eli and I want to know: what “essentials” would you like to share with your kids?
When he isn’t hosting incredible guest bloggers or answering questions his three daughters toss at him, Eli Pacheco writes the blog Coach Daddy. Find him on Google Plus, Pinterest, and Twitter.
What a fun post! Especially since I’m one of 3 girls. I’m pretty sure I know what some of those 3s my dad would suggest. This is a fun thing for me to ponder. Thank you, ladies!
Thanks Susan! I love having three daughters. What do you think your dad would suggest?
Dad loves having 3 girls too. He’s fond of saying,
“Anybody can raise boys, but it takes a gentleman to raise ladies!” (Feel free to whip that out if you need to)
Since he’s a minister, I know two of his book recommendations would be the Bible and Pilgrim’s Progress.
His favorite movie is Man From Snowy River. He LOVES it and watches it a couple of times a year. Two others: It’s a Wonderful Life and True Grit. He’s old school 🙂
Blessings to you, Eli!
These are great suggestions Susan. Good to get another “Daddy” view.
I had forgotten how much I liked The Call of the Wild. And I love that you read the Sun Also Rises over and over again. I don’t often reread books but when I do, it’s so interesting to see how I feel about the story this time around.
Rhythm of the Saints- one of my all time favs too! Can’t go wrong with Paul Simon. Ever.
Jack London was the perfect gateway for me from simple stories to those more complex, but told simply. I can’t wait to go to Mexico in January – and bring Hemingway along. Always says something different.
Rhythm of the Saints just has a unique feel. Makes me all contemplative-y. Is that a word? Amen on Paul Simon. I hope my girls get to know him, too.
What an interesting idea! I really have to think about this as I have SO many favorites.
Books: To Kill a Mockingbird and Gone With the Wind have to be there (Eli, we will have to chat about The Sun Also Rises because I tried it this summer and I just…well, anyway 🙂
Quotes: I love the ones you included. I would have to also include Mother Theresa’s ““Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
CDs: Handel’s Messiah, Chariots of Fire, and U2s Achtung Baby?
Love this idea. I may have to steal it 🙂 Thanks, Julia and Eli!
Hey, I’d have To Kill A Mockigbird and the quote from Mother Teresa too! Great minds, Amy. Thanks for sharing.
It’s not easy to pick favorites. To Kill a Mockingbird was way up there. Marie read it this year, and didn’t like it at first. But then it captured her. She said everything started to happen at once!
Your CD choices are stellar. I hope you do steal this idea. You reveal a lot about yourself with your choices.
The Emerson quote is one of my favorites of all time. I took a calligraphy class in college and I chose that quote as one of my assignments. I would add this quote from Victor Hugo (in Les Miserables): “To love another person is to see the face of God.”
And one by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
All three of these quotes sum up what I want my kids to know and remember. We are all connected, and these connections are what give meaning and joy to life.
CDs and books – I’d really have to think about those!
Dana, these are beautiful quotes- what wonderful sentiments to share with your children. I’m going to save them for mine too. Thanks 😉
Nice choice with Hugo. And I like the abridged version of that Emerson quote best. You’re on the right track. Maybe you’ll even post your choices, Dana. It’ll come in handy for those weeks a prompt escapes you.
First I was in desperate need of a prompt today, so THANK YOU!!! I loved Jack London. I remember being in Mr. McForehead’s 7th grade class and the entire class had to read Call of the Wild. I remember not following the directions and reading ahead of the class. When the ending came I was bawling and when asked what was wrong I gave away the ending for the entire class!
Great story Kerri! (Was his name REALLY Mr. Forehead?) I could never wait for the class either- don’t feel bad. What a great memory. Nice to meet you and thanks for sharing.
Glad you could pick up on it, Kerri! A post about you giving away the ending would be awesome. See what happens?
Reading is so powerful. As you know.
My oldest read a book about the holocaust. She had trouble sleeping that night. Truth is way more frightening than fiction.
Hi, Julia – first time here via Eli. Looking forward to reading more!
Eli, that Emerson quote is a gem. Emerson is one of my go-to guys. Love him. And we’ve talked about Hemingway before, so there’s that. The Old Man haunts and delights me still.
I absolutely loved Call of the Wild. It was one of my earliest “real book” memories, too. I wish I still had my copy, but I have no idea where it ended up. I do remember it vividly, though – cover was a beautiful shade of blue with a great pic of a wolf.
I think for my Daughter, I’d want to share Emerson and Thoreau. No two authors have shaped my thinking quite like these two. Music…so much harder. I’d have to think on that one for a while. And the quotes are going to inevitably come from Emerson and Thoreau. Although there is a Washington Irving about the sacredness of tears that I absolutely love.
Great post – great idea!
Glad you enjoyed the idea- and thanks for sharing your “essentials”. I’ve been thinkin about this all day and still want more time.
I have been thinking about this prompt off and on since I read it. I am so bad at choosing favorites because I have so many for so many different reasons.
Yes, “favorites” are hard. My favorite book for a laugh is different than my favorite book for a really moving theme. It’s hard to pick just one. Or three. 😉
You’re going to love it here, Lisa. I have a copy of Walden I gave to my oldest daughter, but she still hasn’t ventured into it. i know she will. It’s just not time yet.
I’d love to see what you’d come up with given this prompt.
Walden is something that one has to appreciate in their own time. If your daughter is a dreamer, a thinker, a lover of the world, she will love it in due time.
I’ve actually been thinking a lot about this prompt and I may just swipe it for a post…if I can ever make up my mind what I’d list!
What an honor to be here, Julia! Thanks so much. Plus, stuff just looks so good on your blog. That has a lot to do with who usually writes it!
Eager to see what others would put in their capsule. Including you!
Thanks for being here, Eli. I’ve been pondering what I’d put in my capsule, To Kill a Mockingbird and the song “Closer to Fine” are the only definite nominees right now. I think I’ll have to write my own post on this!
I’d love to see that!