And One More Thing Before You Go...

I gave this book to my daughter as we said our goodbyes and left to come home. I spent the week leading up to that adding my own thought to the stories and the lessons that Maria gave. It was a wonderful way for me to send our daughter off to college with just one more thing. I have bought another book to do the same thing for daughter #2 as she heads off this August as well. I even bought 2 extras to give to my girl friends who daughters are also graduating in June.

My daughter had been going through quite a difficult time in her college adjustment period, as well as with a boyfriend that I used to pray she would break it off with, as she was crying much more than experiencing what she really deserved. I mailed my daughter two books: "And One More Thing Before You Go" by Maria Shriver and "Stop Being the String Along" by Barbara Rose. As a Mom, I just wanted to share a brief paragraph from a letter my daughter sent to me. If you are a parent, I think you would appreciate this: "Dear Mum, I know you were trying to teach me things that deep in my heart I knew you were right, but I was too afraid of looking foolish to let on. I want to thank you for sending me the two books you sent to me, becasuse now I know and see so much more than I did before. Each book let me know that it is okay to make mistakes, as they make me stronger and wiser. Each book helped me to see and understand more about being true to myself... I wish that every Mum could send both books to their daughters. Thank you for being such a wonderful Mum to me. Now I am going to share both books with my friends." So this is why I am a "Grateful Mum" and I thank the authors for making a real difference in my daughter's life.

In the tradition of A Short Guide to a Long and Happy Life and being perfect by Anna Quindlen, the very versatile Maria Shriver offers reader of all ages her latest book, And One More Thing Before You Go. And what a wonderful book especially to be given as a gift at this time of year. How many of us either recall our mothers and fathers saying to us at the end of a phone call or face to face discussion, and more thing before you go. It's as if our advice giving days are never over because a soon as we have our own children, its seems as though we begin saying these very words too. And while Maria Shriver, a former news reporter, daughter of the famed Kennedy family and now married to the Governor of California also hears these words from her mother, Pat Shriver whenever they are about to end their phone calls. Using this expression as the premise of a speech given to her friends daughter at an annual graduation luncheon from high school, Ms. Shriver expands on this theme and offers a small advice book which reader can either identify with or learn from as we continue on our journey in life. Touching on subjects like why fear is good, how we learn from our mistakes and most of all why trying new things or having new adventures in the world is good for us, Ms. Shriver entrances readers with ideas we may remember hearing from our own parents and now we can either learn from or pass along to the next generation as they venture forth. But this book is not only useful for those about to embark on a new experiences but also a refresher course in how to meet life head on no matter what age we are and what we've already accomplished. I really did enjoy this book and think it is one which can be a most worthwhile book for young men or woman or even seasoned veterans as they try to give advice to others. And her ending -- to call home often and let your children know the light is always on for their return is exactly what I often say to our child just before I say, and one more thing before you go. Consider this as a graduation gift this year or in the future or even to a non graduate but to a person starting something new and a bit different. See if it doesn't take its rightful place among books like Ms. Quindlen's or Dr. Seuss's Oh the Places You'll Go for a good lesson in how to deal with life which is always presenting us with new experiences. This is a wonderful book infused with Ms. Shrivers own lessons in life and equal doses of sensibility and poignancy.

This is a wonderful book, filled with big messages. Maria Shriver gives excellent advice, shares in a down to earth manner, and brings her beautiful wisdom to help steer young adults in the most positive direction. I'm giving my copy to my daughter with college just around the corner. This is a book I would give as a gift to anyone where solid guidance can always be remembered, and read in a sincere, heartfelt manner. I also highly recommend "Ten Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Went Out Into the Real World" also by Maria Shriver. Both books are timeless, sincere, wonderful contributions, as well as great reads!

Maria Shriver is someone to admire. This book is a gift--another act of kindness and giving, a quality taught to her by her parents. While she instills family values into her own four children, she offers the readers of this "little book" a glimpse into her wisdom while she tells us ONE MORE THING. Actually, many things, and all good and solid advice. "And One More Thing Before You Go," is a perfect graduation present for your own high school senior, your friend's daughter or the young, impressionable girl down the street. Mothers of these daughters will also benefit by reading this, especially if they subscribe to Shriver's suggestion that we all "stay teachable." A quick read, it's fun, pithy, occasionally self-deprecating (Shriver isn't afraid to admit her own mistakes) and never condescending. I highly recommend this book. Michele Cozzens, Author of A Line Between Friends and The Things I Wish I'd Said.