r.i.p., frank mccourt, you were an icon

This weekend was one of the best I’ve had in quite a while, thanks to a new stress-free attitude and two straight days of no work and lots of sun, sand and waves. Sadly, it wasn’t completely smudge-free. One of my favorite authors, Frank McCourt, passed away after a battle with cancer.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved reading. It’s one of those things that was instantly woven into the fiber of my being- reading came more naturally to me than speaking. I’ll blame it on my parents, both of whom consume books at an alarming rate. To this day, my Mother will come home from the library with a stack of 10 books and return them less than a week later. My Dad’s library is one of the most fascinating I’ve ever seen, full of everything from history to science fiction to vintage comic books that I ruined the pages of while reading them as a kid.

It’s no stretch to say that Frank McCourt was one of the most inspirational, influential, and talented individuals to ever survive. I use the word survive because that is what he was – a survivor. His first memoir, Angela’s Ashes, was an instant favorite of mine after reading it in my ninth grade English class. Reading about his struggles as the son of an abusive alcoholic father in a poverty-stricken neighborhood of Dublin showed me a side of humanity I never knew existed. There was something oddly beautiful about the challenges he experienced right from the get-go. He went on to put himself through school at New York University, which he chronicled in his second memoir, ‘Tis, and continued to tell his tale in his final book, Teacher Man. McCourt rose to the top and defeated all things that stood in his way – eventually becoming a much adored and respected Pulitzer-prize winning author.

Although both of my parents led by a strong example in making the best with what you’ve got, McCourt’s story taught me a lesson in strength and survival that I never realized until long after I had graduated high school. Not only did Frank McCourt survive, he thrived. What a way to live.

Positive things:

- Stress-free lifestyle.

- Beach days.

- Boyfriend visits in less than two weeks.

- Philosophy pure grace and Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer.

Negative things:

- AT&T’s service.

- Cancer.

- When theaters oversell movies.

What I’m Listening To:

- Bright Eyes
- Andrew Bird
- Bat For Lashes
- Adele