Joyfully Retired

A Worthy Legacy  by Tomi Akinyanmi is the story of a young woman in Nigeria who has been called back to the family home. Her beloved grandfather is dying and has requested that family members gather at his bedside. The grandfather wishes to say good-bye to each of them but he also wishes to leave them with some parting words of wisdom.

The grandfather’s wisdom includes advice on some of these traits:

• character
• handling tough times
• a recipe for happiness
• the use of words
• concerning power
• the cycle of life

This transfer of wisdom is told in simple words, spoken by a man who knows this is his last chance to impress upon his family what he has learned about this life. The message isn’t flashy or crafty, but the quiet words of a concerned parent.

In addition to what he said, the grandfather and the young woman shared a secret journal, hidden just for their use. After his death the young woman finds a final message from her grandfather in the journal. All of this together, the journal and the spoken words, makes up A Worthy Legacy from grandfather to granddaughter.

This book is thought provoking. I couldn’t help but think about what kind of legacy I am leaving for my children, grandchildren, family and friends. 

The tale is told in both story form and in poetry. In addition, the author’s lovely drawings illustrate the book. This is the author’s first novel but it’s not her first writing. Her first love is poetry and it is evident throughout A Worthy Legacy. I want to leave you with one of her poems from the book, but first I want to ask you to come back tomorrow when I have the opportunity to interview Ms. Akinyanmi. This poem comes from the section on Concerning the Nature of Man.

What do people think of me?

What do I think of myself?

What do people see in me?

What do I hide from them?

What do people know about me?

What do I want them to know?

What do people say about me?

What do I want them to say?

If you can honestly answer these,

You will then have found yourself.