Speak All The Good

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

I have been thinking a lot these last weeks about Maira Kalman.

First off, I am reading The Elements of Style which is illustrated by Maira. While Maggie is now addicted to What Pete Ate – which means daily readings. You see, I have been sitting with Maira now day and night for weeks.

Secondly, I found this quote last week – which made me happy - and was reminded of Maira’s post “Can Do.”

“Speak ill of no man, but speak all the good you know of everybody”

--Benjamin Franklin

And the Pursuit of Happiness” has been a light in my life this last year – along with many of my friends.

And, in true Maira Kalman style, this quote from Ben Franklin took me a step further and brought to mind my Grandfather “Perk.” At the mention of his name - and long after his death - people who knew him give an audible sigh and settle in their skin. “Yes, Perk,” they say. My daughter is named after his sister – who evokes the same response.

Perk was just the kind of person that made people feel happy, and good about themselves, and happy with the world. I have many a story to share about him - and will one day soon!

He would always repeat this old wives tale: “If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all.” He was ready with a guitar and a song, peanut brittle and a sly little smile. He was always tinkering with something and just trying to make this world a better place in general. Perhaps just a bit like Ben Franklin…

I guess that I just want to remind myself (and those of you still reading) that there is beauty in life every day. And while all the media wants to remind us that this was The Decade from Hell and The Decade of Fake (which I actually enjoyed reading), I would like to remember that some really lovely things – like Maira Kalman – enriched our lives this last year (and the nine years before). Perhaps we could start spending a bit of time each day “speaking all the good” we know of everybody.

Happy Holidays.

From our home to yours…

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Posted at 6:28 pm

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this decade...

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/23/2009 - 19:49.

This decade, I met a lovely lady who never meant to think big thoughts - they just happened. She decided to work with those thoughts in her heart. And some things changed. Some changes were little, some were bigger. Some things never changed at all. Some people never changed at all. But this one did. She changed through and through. She learned to be aware of herself and came to know and love who she was. None of this would have ever happened were it not for the lovely lady, her hardness and her softness, her stillness and her measured movements. So, in this decade of awfulness: thanks for being lovely you and allowing me to know and love the whole of what I saw. It helped me learn to be lovely me. xxoo, -s-

Perk

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/23/2009 - 19:42.

In your workshop here in Richmond, you told a story about a grandpa that had a beautiful, hands-on illustration about how families support one another... one stick breaks easily, but a handful of sticks won't break. Was that Perk? I so love that story, and think of it every time I go exploring or hiking with my little one... Thanks for sharing your lovely Perk with us :)