“The grand essentials to happiness in this life are
something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
– Joseph Addison
One of my favorite childhood authors was Maurice Sendak. I think that everyone growing up in the past 30 or 40 years has read at least a book or two of his. I loved Where the Wild Things Are, and I still have that book even after moving seven times in 16 years!
I recently listened to an interview online that Mr. Sendak had done with Terry Gross on NPR. He was 83 years old and sick, and he knew that he did not have a long time to live. Several things stood out in the interview. One was the music playing in the background. I think it was meant to be cheerful music, but as the interview went on, the conversation and in turn the music seemed to become more serious and emotional. For a long time that music, a Schubert Impromptu, stayed in my head as much as Mr. Sendak’s words about life, death, faith, and living to the fullest- even when times are challenging. He had a compelling message. We should never give up on our hopes and dreams….whatever they are, or how hard it might seem to reach them. We must all strive to make the most of every single day we are alive!
Mr. Sendak died almost a year ago on May 8, 2012. I think that whenever I hear the Shubert Impromptu I will be reminded of him, his books, and the days of my childhood. But his last few words in the interview will stay in my mind forever, and we should all take his simple yet powerful advice:
“Live Your Life, Live Your Life, Live Your Life…….”
– Maurice Sendak
Listen to the NPR Interview (it’s only about five minutes long).
Listen to the music- Schubert’s Impromptu Op. 142 No. 3