“At the end of life, what really matters is not what we bought but what we built; not what we got but what we shared; not our competence but our character; and not our success, but our significance. Live a life that matters. Live a life of love.” –author unknown
This book is a collection of short essays featuring:
- Steven Curtis Chapman, Five-time Grammy winner, singer, songwriter, musician, author.
- Jim Meskimen, actor/impressionist who has been in five feature films directed by Ron Howard. His mother, Marion Ross, the subject of his essay, was Richie Cunningham’s (Ron Howard’s) mother on Happy Days.
- Sherry Morris, whose mother, Constance Madeline Morris, was the inspiration for the cover of this book.
- Jeff Rector, award-winning writer, director, producer, working actor, stand-up comedian and best-selling author.
- Dee Wallace, the mother of Elliott in ET: The Extra-Terrestrial. She is the most prolific American actress in movie/television history.
- Title : I Matter Too!: Finding Meaning in Your Life at Any Age
- Authors : Harlan Rector, Edward Mickolus
- Publisher : Wandering Woods Publishers
- Publication Date : May 10, 2021
- Language : English
- Paperback : 148 pages
- ISBN-10 : 173507473X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1735074733
- Item Weight : 7.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.34 x 9 inches
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Editors’ Introduction
Foreword by Carol Spargo Pierskalla, Finding a Meaning for One’s Life
CHAPTER 1
The Age of Innocence: Childhood / Elementary School
The Simple Act, by Dee Wallace
Through the Eyes of a Child, by Jack Rawcliffe
She Loved Me Most; She Loved Me Best, by Sherry-Ann Morris
The Job I Never Wanted, by Tracy Tripp
Skunk Oil Skills, by Ruth Van Alstine
A New Landscape, by Sally Wahl Constain
CHAPTER 2
The Age of Learning: High School / College
How a Police Officer Made a Difference in One Person’s Life, by Mal MacIver
Inspiration, Thy Name is Marion, by Jim Meskimen
Only if I, by Kathy Triebwasser
A Walk with Janis Joplin, by Elaine Chekich
CHAPTER3
The Age of Responsibility: Adulthood
Birthdays, by Buzz Williams
Priorities, by Sam Roberts
From the City Block to the Cell Block, by Pat Collins
A Nudge and a Will, by Ruth Van Alstine
Lost in Translation, by Patricia Daly-Lipe
CHAPTER 4
The Age of Action: Work/Career
A Magic Moment, by Harlan Rector
What Goes Into the First of Life, by Jenny L. Cote
Timing and Talent Matters, by Greg Barry
A Dream Come True, by Jeff Rector
Pray for the Sudanese, by Chuck Brockmeyer
The Chinese/English Bibles, by Chuck Brockmeyer
Mr. Li and a Visit to the USA, by Chuck Brockmeyer
A Path Lit by 133 Stars, by Ed Mickolus
CHAPTER 5
The Age of Sharing: Family/Marriage/Children
Expeditious Adoption, by Rick and Nancy Banks
Coast to Coast, by Harlan Rector
Accepting Life’s Way, by Tim Watts
A Christmas Present from Steven Curtis Chapman, by Harlan Rector
A Tragic Accident with a Happy Ending, by Diane Quick-Machaby
Lessons from my Mother, by Sue Jones
The Letter, by Anni Rawcliffe
CHAPTER 6
The Age of Reflection: Retirement
My Life as a U.S. Census Bureau Enumerator, by Susan Schjelderup
Four Score and Three, by Sheila Weinstein
The Cross, a Rosary, and a Mickey Mouse Watch, by Sue Jones
CHAPTER 7
The Age Beyond Memories: After You’ve Gone
They Were Dying To See Me: Vito’s Story, by Jack Knee
A Parting Gift, by Ed Mickolus
Where Do We Go From Here? by Harlan Rector
EPILOGUE
Epilogue by Sheila Weinstein, Resilience: Learning from a Plastic Clown
Book Club Questions
About the Authors
Editors’ Introduction
In volume I of this series we asked authors to explore how someone made a (positive) difference in their life or how they made a difference in someone’s life. We’ve been heartened by the response to our request, and to the collection overall. We’ve asked individuals from all walks of life—a movie producer, a police officer, an artist, a public servant, a poet, a professional writer, a spy—to share their recollections of these key experiences in their lives.
Our guiding philosophy is, surprisingly, nicely captured in the following meme:
You never really know the true impact you have on those around you. You never know how much someone needed that smile you gave them. You never know how much your kindness turned someone’s entire life around. You never know how much someone needed that long hug or deep talk. So don’t wait to be kind. Don’t wait for someone else to be kind first. Don’t wait for better circumstances or for someone to change. Just be kind, because you never know how much someone needs it.
We’re now collecting material for a volume III. If you’d like to participate, please contact either of us.
Harlan and Ed
