Papa's Pearls Review

  Papa's Pearls: A Father's Gift of Love and Wisdom to His Children and Grandchildren

By Diane Flynn Keith

$14.97

"It's all about family. If you don't have family, you got nothin." ~ Papa

 

Papa's Pearls: A Father's Gift of Love and Wisdom to His Children and Grandchildren was written as a tribute by a loving daughter who adored her father. Diane Flynn Keith tells a heartfelt story of her father, Carol Joseph Flynn, who she calls Papa. Papa didn't grow up in the best circumstances and made some wrong decisions in his life that included criminal activity. After experiencing what he thought was the worse thing that could happen to him, he decided to turn his life around. He worked hard and eventually had his own business. He was proud & protective of his family and always put them first. He made sure he passed on to his children and grandchildren the pearls of wisdom and street smarts that he had learned in his lifetime.

It is very evident from the way Diane tells the story of her Papa's life that growing up her family was full of love and adoration for one another. It is very encouraging to see that even when people make the wrong choices in their lives when they are young they can eventually turn themselves around and change the course of their family for generations. Reading through this book a lot of the pearls and street smarts seem to me as common sense but it must not be for everyone, because I know a lot of homes (including mine growing up) that could benefit from making family a high priority in their lives and could use an influence like Carol.  

Diane tells her Papa's life story and his pearls of wisdom while including the idioms he lived by. She explains each one with real examples of them. 

• "I love you. You know that, right?"
• "Get it in writing!"
• "If you ever need anything- You've got it!"
• "Ya gotta do what ya gotta do!"
• "Take a Hike-Just Walk Away from It!"
• "You Gotta Roll with the Punches."
• "Keep a Foxy Pocket."
• "Doodle-le Do It!"

 

I read Papa's Pearls myself and although we already implement some of the shared wisdom in our home, there is always room for improvement. It was very easy to read & I wanted to finish it right away.

 

After I received my book I recognized Diane's name from ClickSchooling. I actually receive her email that contains a web-based curriculum idea for Monday-Saturday.   Diane Flynn Keith was born and raised on the San Francisco Peninsula along with her brother & sister. Together with her husband they have raised two boys and still lives on the Peninsula. Diane is the Editor-In-Chief of Homefires.com and is also an alternative education specialist, and parenting coach. She has also written Carschooling: Over 350 Entertaining Games & Activities To Turn Travel Time Into Learning Time.
Regardless of your family situation there are some pearls in this book that we could all benefit from.