Grandmothers have wisdom to share with us that is time tested. Wisdom that has been learned the hard way. Kal Edwards was blessed with a Grandmother that shared her vast wisdom with him. We’re blessed that he shares that wisdom with us.

Trafford Publishing (2006)
ISBN 1412080541
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (8/06)


Grandmothers have wisdom to share with us that is time tested.  Wisdom that has been learned the hard way.  Kal Edwards was blessed with a Grandmother that shared her vast wisdom with him.  We’re blessed that he shares that wisdom with us.

Kal’s grandmother taught him many things.  She taught him not to waste things.  He watched as she hemmed flour sacks.  Flour sacks made good dishtowels.  “Oh, we had no money for fancy things … we just always used what was on hand.”  She also taught him to be prepared.  One way is to keep your clothes pressed, organized, fresh and ready to wear.”  She showed him that the same could be applied to ones life, keep ones “skills current, take classes to broaden ones interests, and continually add to ones skills and talents.”

Grandmother continued to share her wisdom teaching about listening more than talking.  Some people are so interested in their own thought that they never hear what anyone else says.  “People will always remember the person who shows interest by listening.” 

Much of the wisdom Grandmother passed on to Kal would have been called “common sense” by her.  Unfortunately many people don’t have “common sense”.  Grandmother took Kal into her kitchen and taught him as she cooked.  She showed him how putting extra effort into things brought results.  She taught him about being polite to others.” A truly polite person is one that honors courtesy, conduct and character in any personal encounter.”

What Grandmother wanted more than anything to teach Kal was to live life to its fullest.  We can only do that when we care about others and when we truly know what we want out of life.  Kal’s grandmother is truly wise.

This book contains a “Personal Renewal Planner” at the end of each chapter.  There are questions and a place to record your actions or answers.   A good cookbook will have a few stains and notes in the margins from use. This book, like a cookbook, is intended for more than reading.

I picked up this book expecting recipes for apple pies, corn bread, and meat loaf.  What I received instead was even more delicious.  I received wisdom from someone who is very wise.  I can picture Kal as a young boy sitting at his grandmother’s table watching closely as she rolled out her piecrust, listening closely as she gave out bites of wisdom.  I hope someday my grandchildren tell their children bites of wisdom from me.  I would like to think they would say, “My grandmother taught me to be kind to others, to listen to what they are saying, to never stop learning and to enjoy life.”  This book has warmed my heart.  The wisdom enclosed with such love can and should be applied to all aspects of our lives.  I highly recommend this book for everyone.  Apply this wisdom to your personal life and professional life.