Today on Julia Tomiak’s blog “Diary of a Word Nerd”, Eli Pacheco as a guest writer talked about the three books, songs, and quotes he would put in a time capsule for his three daughters.  Please read his insights here.

This started me thinking about what I would put in a time capsule for my children.  My children are two very different people.   When they were growing up, I had to treat them differently so I think I think of them separately in this also.

The following is the time capsule that I would put together for my son.

Books

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

Okay, yes, right off the bat I am cheating a bit.  I really mean that he should read the whole series.  They are some of the original adventure books and while meant for children, they may really be better for adults.  (Hint – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is not the first book in the series.)

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

The book is interesting because it is about how habits are formed but there are also really interesting examples in the book about habits and corporate America.  This book has both practical information and examples of the applications of the ideas in the book.

Walking on Water by Madeline L’Engle

Madeline L’Engle is one of my favorite authors.  This is my favorite book by her.  For my son, who had not found a hard road that he doesn’t love, I would hope this book would be a help in his life.

CDs

Moondance by Van Morrison

Sorry, this is just the best CD ever made.  I really don’t care if you don’t agree.  It is perfect.

Reverse Thread by Regina Carter

Regina Carter plays the jazz violin.  Come on, how often do you hear the jazz played on the violin.  Okay, you should probably read a bit of her story also.  It adds a dimension to the music.

Now the third choice is hard.  The first two are pretty mellow and calm.  The third choice seems to me to need to be something that you can stand in the kitchen and sing – I mean sing really loud, maybe poorly but LOUD.  I would pick some country music but I know that would be rejected out of hand. So this is my odd choice.

Come Dancing with the Kinks (Best of the Kinks 1977-1986) by the Kinks

Yes, I went there.  So, listen, the words aren’t hard and sing in the kitchen.  Sing loud.  Sing and laugh.  Sing and dance.  Come on.. it’s “Lola”. L O L A, Lola.

Quotes

I am a bit of a quote junkie.  It is so hard to pick just three but here we go…

“Dance like no one is watching,
Live like you’ll never be hurt
Sing like no one is listening
Live like it’s heaven on earth.”

 William Purkey

“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.”

A. A. Milne

“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.”

A. A. Milne

“Laughter cleans the soul.  Our souls are so clean.”

Ann Naylon Knapick

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body…but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand – martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO~HOO – What a Ride!”

Unknown

So, I didn’t do just three.

Those are my choices for my son.  I am not sure he will appreciate them but those are the chances we take as parents.

Reminds me of a quote about leading a horse to water….

Thanks for reading!