Press
As The Page Turns review from September 17, 2010
When we're born we don't come with an instruction manual, hence this book. This is a book is a grandfather writing to his grandson about things in life he needs to know. He covers every topic from forgiveness, to drugs and alcohol and faith. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who is a new grandparent or parent. Some of the highlights of the book:
"The single most important purpose for living is to know people, to engage people, and to uplift people."
Another thing Tom McQueen tells his grandson Ethan is the three emotional positions a person can take in life.
I will act the way I feel.
You will act the way I feel.
I can't help the way I feel right now but I can help the way I think and act.
This is a wonderful testament of love for a grandson and wanting to send me into the world with as much knowledge of the road ahead as possible.
see the original publication here
Basil & Spice review from September 23, 2010
Letters to Ethan, A Grandfather's Legacy of Life & Love (Seraphina Press/2010) was written by Tom McQueen, a licensed marriage and family therapist for over 25 years. McQueen works with Legacy Nation which encourages parents and grandparents to teach their children essential life lesson through letters.
This book should be presented by every grandparent to their adolescent or 20-something grandchild (male or female). Alternatively, if the grandparent has even the least bit of proclivity toward writing, the book could be used as a template, inspiration or prompt for their own book of letters for their grandchildren (which could even be published through print-on-demand).
Each letter in this easy-to-read book is about 2 to 5 pages long and begins with a quote. The letters contain specific advice, wisdom, related stories and/or poetry. The topics include taking risks; controlling ones thoughts and actions; integrity; the power of will; the importance of thankfulness; respect; education, including being self-taught; five choices for conflict resolution; health; being a hero; seeking God (the book is Christian-based, specifically Catholic); wisdom from elders; happiness through helping; leadership; drug abuse; sacrifice; balance; imagination; compassion and empathy; and achieving goals. The best letters, in my opinion, were the ones in the author’s area of expertise: family, marriage and raising children.
Most letters contain relevant anecdotes: some personal from the author’s life, and some from the mainstream news, such as the Amish who were able to forgive their children’s killers. My favorite story was related to the letter on friends vs. acquaintances. McQueen was nice to a new kid in school, a freshman who was being bullied. They ended up being best friends, and the boy went on to become very confident and popular. While giving the graduating valedictorian speech, he confessed that he was going to kill himself that day, but changed his mind due to McQueen’s kindness!
One of my favorite quotes from the author reminds me of the final words of wisdom from my father on his death bed, that life is here today, and gone tomorrow. McQueen warns, “One of the shocking realities in this world that will take you by surprise when you least expect it is just how quickly life passes. One day you’ll be sitting in math class looking at your watch and wondering when it’s going to end and in the blink of an eye you’re taking your vitamin supplement to help with that arthritis that’s been bothering you lately.”
Every parent and grandparent should write such a book, even if they have doubt about their writing skills. What better gift could you possibly leave as a legacy?
see the original publication here
Three Boys and an Old Lady review from
September 16, 2010:
It's been quite a long time since a book has touched my heart so. Letters to Ethan: A Grandfather's Legacy of Life and Love is one of the most heartwarming stories I've read in a long time.
Author Tom McQueen never knew his grandparents and when he became a parent, and later a grandparent, he began writing letters to his son and grandson. The letters share the wisdom as only a parent or grandparent can give. Lessons on life, love and loss. Each (chapter) letter begins with a famous quote and then McQueen expounds on the virtues of the quote and McQueen closes with "I love you, Ethan. Grandpa." There are several life lessons included in this book but my favorite is the one on Happiness. McQueen tells the story of George Washington Carver. Carver grew up poor and became famous as a pioneer in the field of Agriculture. McQueen writes before his passing, Carver donated monies and his estate to a namesake foundation with the promise the foundation would continue to continue his work after his death. McQueen writes "Fittingly, his epitaph read: 'He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world.' For as long as I live, Ethan, I will pray that you enjoy the happiness and joy that comes from those everyday moments that we treasure with our family and friends."
My Thoughts: This is a wonderful story. Having lost my grandparents and great-grandparents when my children and many of my cousins were too young to remember them, I only wish they were around to share some of the wisdom some of us older kids bore witness to. I wish my great-grandmother from West Virginia was around to make silver dollar pancakes and her famous brownies for my kids. Or my cousins could share the pecan tarts I thought my grandma from Kentucky made, knowing she never baked a day in her life. It wasn't until her passing her secret of buying those tarts from the local Piggly Wiggly was revealed.
As my family prepares to gather next year we will remember those who have passed on leaving a generation with a void as they never knew those I was so fortunate to know. Many never met our grandparents. Few will remember our great-grandmother or our great-great grandmother. Few will remember the cracked sidewalk in front of my grandma's house or the mushroom pizzas our great-grandma would order for us.
Author Tom McQueen started an organization encouraging relationships between grandparents and parents to help teach life lessons to children. After reading Letters to Ethan I am inspired me to tell others about Tom McQueen's Legacy Nation campaign. This campaign encourages I am so grateful to my friends at Phenix & Phenix for this review opportunity.
see the original publication here
As seen in the "Your Life" section of the
Observer-Dispatch, on September 12, 2010:
Local resident Tom McQueen has written a book of inspiration for grandparents titled Letters to Ethan: A Grandfather's Legacy of Life & Love.
By sharing life experiences, McQueen said in a news release, he hopes to impact his grandson's life as well as encourage others to realize the potential they have to influence their children and grandchildren emotionally, socially, spiritually, and intellectually.
"The truth is, life is complicated. It's wonderful; it's awful; it's a thrill; it's a bore. And it can feel almost unbearable at times. Almost. In these letters to you, Ethan, your grandpa reveals the mistakes and miracles that have shaped his life.
"Anyone can give advice, but true wisdom is hard-won. And the book you're holding contains plenty of it." – Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz, talking about Letters to Ethan
McQueen, has degrees in philosophy, theology, and more than 25 years experience as a marriage and family therapist. He's also a personal coach, and conducts inspirational workshops and seminars.
McQueen will sign copies of his book, which was published Sept. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at Life Discovery Christian Book Store, 8461 Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford.
The book, published by Seraphina Press, retails for $14.95.
See the original publication here