The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully

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Manufacturer: Bluebridge

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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 200.846
EAN: 9781933346106
ISBN: 1933346108
Label: Bluebridge
Manufacturer: Bluebridge
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 240
Publication Date: 2008-05-01
Publisher: Bluebridge
Studio: Bluebridge

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Editorial Reviews:

Not only accepting but celebrating getting old, this inspirational and illuminating work looks at the many facets of the aging process, from purposes and challenges to struggles and surprises. Central throughout is a call to cherish the blessing of aging as a natural part of life that is active, productive, and deeply rewarding. Perhaps the most important dimension revealed lies in the awareness that there is a purpose to aging and intention built into every stage of life. Chittister reflects on many key issues, including the temptation towards isolation, the need to stay involved, the importance of health and well-being, what happens when old relationships end or shift, the fear of tomorrow, and the mystery of forever. Readers are encouraged to surmount their fears of getting older and find beauty in aging well.

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Customer Rating:

Summary: The Gifts of Years: Growing Old Gracefully
Comment: I found Joan Chittister's book most helpful and comforting as well as enlighting. I liked the spiritual aspect of her book. I have recommended the book to many people and have made several gifts to people approaching retirement age.

Hugh Maguire

Customer Rating:

Summary: The gift of ideas
Comment: I'm impressed to learn that this book was written by a 70-year-old Benedictine nun, which gives Gift of Years both strengths and limitations.

The book reads like a series of sermonettes. We get the "what" but not the "how." And I think the author assumes her audience shares her values and opportunities.

She seems to have a solid grip on the spiritual dynamics of growing old. But she writes about areas where her lack of experience seems obvious: dealing with health issues (especially the health care system), finding meaningful work after retirement, and making friends when you don't have time or opportunity to develop a shared history.

Not everyone finds meaning in helping others. Some people are better suited to working and donating to charities rather than taking a hands-on role in the charities. Some people want to relax and be door-greeters at Wal-Mart or (as she suggests) teachers' aides at a local school (not an easy job to get). But a lot of people will find those roles meaninngless, degrading and more stressful than the high-powered jobs they're denied.

A good book if you've got strong spiritual values, a solid support system, most of your health and financial sufficiency. If you're 80 years old and still running marathons between visits to the grandchildren, you'd probably love this book.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Excellent Book
Comment: Joan Chittister has done all of us a wonderful service in writing this book. Since the population has grayed in the last few years, her suggestions about how to bridge the gap in our lives is extraordinary. Thank you Joan for a wonderful work.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Wise and wonderful
Comment: This is a wise and wonderful book. A friend wanted to borrow it when I was finished and I was reluctant to let it out of my hands. I was so glad when another friend gave it to her as a birthday gift. Everyone over 50 should have this one in their permanent collection. I know I will return to it now and then, to drink at the well.

Customer Rating:

Summary: The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully
Comment: As in all her previous works, Joan Chittister has done a wonderful job on addressing a very important issue in all of our lives, growing older, with grace and dignity. The book's format lends itself to reading about and then processing so many different aspects of growing older one chapter/topic at a time.

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