Book Description Mary Schmich's inspiration began simply enough. While walking to work one day， she spied a young woman basking in the sun. "That girl should be wearing sunscreen，" she thought. That same day while under deadline pressure， she used a bit of advice to launch her next column. The fictional commencement address she wrote was an enchanting and insightful column that appeared in her regular space in the June 1， 1997， edition of the Chicago Tribune. What followed， however， was far from simple. Posted on the Internet， Schmich's column quickly became an international sensation. Friends e-mailed it to friends; the media picked up on it and a star was born. There was only one problem: Everyone thought the column was an actual commencement address given by author Kurt Vonnegut. "What she wrote was funny and wise and charming." Vonnegut told the New York Times， "so I would have been proud had the words been mine." But now the truth is out， and Schmich continues to be lauded for her witty and poignant look at life. "Do one thing every day that scares you." "Dance， even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room." "Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good." This book will， no doubt， become the hot graduation gift for high schoolers and college students as they embark on the world.