Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
New York, NY : BlueBridge, c2008.
Original publication date
2008
ISBN
9781933346106
Description
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.
User reviews
LibraryThing member TinaV95
I find it odd that there are no reviews for this very wonderful book. In the introduction, Joan Chittister states that "This is a book for those who are on the brink of 'old age', for those who have just received their first mail message from the Association of Retired People, and knowing
If you know me at all, you know I love working with the elderly. I consider myself somewhat of an 'expert.' Saying that, let me say this. I LEARNED from this book. I have turned down nearly half of the pages of this library book (gasp!!) and I am going to have to purchase my own copy. It is so good that I will be referring back to it as I develop training and need points to consider and quotes to include. Chittister has done an excellent job (in my opinion) of breaking down the most important concerns and tasks we face in aging and how we cope (or don't) with them. Chapters include themes like Regret, Meaning, Fear, Ageism, Adjustment, Tale-Telling, Letting Go, Spirituality, Faith, Legacy, etc. and she begins each with a poignant quote. She ends each chapter by summarizing a burden of the years and a blessing of the years related to the chapter / theme.
My current boss recommended this book to me months ago at a training when she was reading a "book on aging written by a former nun." When she mentioned it again in my interview, I knew I'd better go get it from the library immediately. Boy, am I glad I did! It was well worth it and I see the reason she was encouraging me to read it now! Hey you!!! READ this one!! :)
5 stars
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themselves to be young and healthy, are very surprised by it." But she also goes on to say that she writes for those who might be concerned about their parents; or those who are "facing the time of life for which there is no career plan." I knew I would love this book the moment I read the line, "The thing most wrong about this book could well be that I may be too young to write it. I am, after all, only seventy. So in the interest of full disclosure, I reserve the right to revise this edition when I am ninety."If you know me at all, you know I love working with the elderly. I consider myself somewhat of an 'expert.' Saying that, let me say this. I LEARNED from this book. I have turned down nearly half of the pages of this library book (gasp!!) and I am going to have to purchase my own copy. It is so good that I will be referring back to it as I develop training and need points to consider and quotes to include. Chittister has done an excellent job (in my opinion) of breaking down the most important concerns and tasks we face in aging and how we cope (or don't) with them. Chapters include themes like Regret, Meaning, Fear, Ageism, Adjustment, Tale-Telling, Letting Go, Spirituality, Faith, Legacy, etc. and she begins each with a poignant quote. She ends each chapter by summarizing a burden of the years and a blessing of the years related to the chapter / theme.
My current boss recommended this book to me months ago at a training when she was reading a "book on aging written by a former nun." When she mentioned it again in my interview, I knew I'd better go get it from the library immediately. Boy, am I glad I did! It was well worth it and I see the reason she was encouraging me to read it now! Hey you!!! READ this one!! :)
5 stars
Show Less
LibraryThing member DioceseofOttawa
The Gift of Years reflects on many aspects of aging, the pursposes and concerns, the struggles and surprises, the potential and joys.
LibraryThing member JoStARs
Sister Joan Chittister thoughtfully reflects on the gifts and burdens that come with growing older. Some of the topics she explores are spirituality, limitations, fear, joy, freedom, and adjustment. In a culture where youth is revered, The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully reminds us of the
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value of older persons. I highly recommend this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member TGPistole
Excellent. Written in a non-judgmental, no-prescriptive manner. Not what you should do but what you might want to consider. Full of tidbits of wisdom. Great reading.
LibraryThing member jepeters333
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.
LibraryThing member LivelyLady
Powerful individual chapter-essays on issues such as Gratitude, Loss, Legacy, etc., as we age. The chapters are a few pages each. I would read a chapter and reflect on it over a day or so. Very good, both happy and sad.
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