Life Goes On by Elizabeth Riggin is a compilation of short stories and poems. It is written in the first person and tells of reminiscences and messages from the author to her daughters. This paperback book is 118 pages in length and has a wonderful spring-like cover.

The writings contained in this compilation portray the author's experiences and the breadth of places in which she has lived. Although some of her days have been spent spanning the globe, her experiences are ones that most moms can relate to. The book is an attempt by the author to convey greater truths about life to her teenage daughters.

A resounding theme found in many of Riggin's poems is one's attitude and the impact it has on your future and your ability to achieve almost anything in life. This is conveyed in her poem "Skies Can Be Blue" as she emphasized believing in what may seem impossible to many. She further encourages her daughters and the reader to examine the power of their attitude in affecting the outcome of many situations.

Your Attitude

The more I live,
The more I realize,
The impact on life,
Your Attitude

More important than facts,
More important than the past,
More important than money,
Your Attitude

Than circumstances,
Than failures,
Than successes,
Than appearance,
Than giftedness,
Your attitude

It will make or break
A company,
A church,
A relationship,
A home.

Remarkable thing as it is,
Make a choice daily,
Embrace it hourly,
Take charge of your attitude!

The powerful and positive message of this collection of personal short stories and poems is overshadowed in this reviewer's mind by an aspect of the author's life that she shares in several places throughout the book. Elizabeth Riggin tells about her romantic relationship with a gentleman that she lives with but is not married to. As a mom with a strong biblical worldview, I seriously question whether this book is appropriate for my own children to read. My husband and I are strong advocates for Biblical marriage and that it is truly "till death do us part." There is nothing in this text to support this view or the pain associated with disobedience to God's Word in this respect. There are no short stories on the pain of divorce or a poem on the struggles children face in accepting the presence of another man other than their dad living in their mom's home. I am not naïve, and I fully understand that this is a reality in many, many homes. However, because of those striking numbers, this mom would choose to provide her children a day-to-day example of enduring marriages and reading material that supports this view.

Product review by Dawn Oaks, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, January 2011