Amy Krouse Rosenthal, the writer whose format I borrowed for I Wish You More, passed away this week at the age of 51. Gone way too soon. Her light and love shone through in her life, and I admired her so much. As one of my favorite children’s books (and memoir) authors, I shared many of her books with kids and teachers over the years. Her death has hit me hard, and in honor of her, I give you this poem. AKR, this is for you! I wish you more love and happiness than pain.
I wish you more stamps than pages.
I wish you more tries than give-ups.
I wish you more what now’s than what if’s.
I wish you more quality than quantity.
I wish you more spicy than mild.
I wish you more books than shelves.
I wish you more oh yeahs! than oh nos!
I wish you more yummy than yucky.
I wish you more happy endings than cliffhangers.
I wish you more calm waters than crashing waves.
I wish you more bright than dull.
I wish you more grey than black and white.
I wish you more friends than followers.
I wish you more adventure than aversion.
I wish you more sunny than stormy.
I wish you more questions than answers.
I wish all of this for you,
because you are everything I could wish for…
and more.
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
MissAKR touched us (all) in so many ways.
Yes she did!
Beautiful, just beautiful!
I loved your poem inspired by AKR. She touched lives close and far.
Love your poem! Such a beautiful tribute to the amazing AKR!
Beautiful words for an extraordinary woman. I wish all your wishes for everyone.
Thanks Elsie!
Wonderfully done, Aggie. Amy left everyone with her lovely books, of course, but with an outlook for life we will remember.
You are so right!
I cannot get her dying off my mind… she was so insightful and clever and observant and wise and funny and serious… and good. The book I Wish You More is one of my favorites. Just love it. And your list is beautiful. More books than shelves and quality than quantity are among my favorites from your list.
I can’t stop thinking about it either. I had to have more books than shelves!! Love literacy!!
This is so sweet and such a wonderful tribute! How amazing it is to have such a connection to someone because of their writing!
I love this. You’ve pointed out some really insightful contrasts of life. My favorite line is: I wish you more what now’s than what if’s.
That’s one of my faves too.
I wish you well
thanks for a lovely
heartfelt
poem
I hope you don’t mind but I want to print this. It’s a beautiful tribute to a woman who left quite a legacy.
I’d be honored!! 🙂
I love this poem. These are such beautiful things to say to someone. It also seems like the I Wish You More… format would work really well with kid poets.
It totally would!