The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully

What a special book for yourself or as a gift !! Written so beautifully!!

Earlier this year (2013), the Huffington Post reported on a conversation between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama about God and Religion. Titled "God Is Not A Christian" the piece reflected wisdom seldom seen in the Roman Catholic Church that seems to be encumbered with discipline-oriented leaders who focus on orthodoxy, rules, regulations, and sex-related issues. How refreshing it was to come across the book, The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully, by a Catholic nun that exuded wisdom on just about all of its 222 pages. The nun, Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, is a past president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and is the founder of "Benetvision." The book is structured around 41 reflections, beginning each reflection with a well-chosen, tone-setting quotation and ending with succinct remarks related to the burdens and the blessings of the end years. Although aimed at the elderly (65 and beyond), based on more than 82 years of life experience, I believe the book is a gift for a whole lifetime of reading and reflection. Chittister teaches that the end years can be the best years of our life, perhaps the time when we learn what life is actually about. Barring debilitating illness, we have an unfettered opportunity to become the best we can be and so leave the world an incrementally better place for our having there. Because the book is so rich in insights, I found it quite difficult to put it down and take time to think deeply about each reflection -- necessitating a more thoughtful subsequent reading. It was well worth the time and then some. Finally, in its review of The Gift of Years, Publishers Weekly said that Chittister is: "well-known in Catholic circles for her willingness to take on anybody -- even the pope -- in defense of women's rights." Would that the Roman Catholic Church not only had bishops who exhibit her holiness, wisdom and charisma, but also bishops who are dedicated to the service of the People of God rather than to blind allegiance to the Vatican that lacks credibility and is presently burdened with a crisis of faith in its leadership. This book is to be savored by all who think about theirfaith, spiritual life, legacy and ultimate destination.

Whether retired or worrying about retiring because you don’t know what you’ll do with it, this book is a must read whether 60 or 80! I worked since I was 14 years old, save for 5-6 years. I felt so much satisfaction and pride in what I did and how I truly had a careers that always ultimately served people. Friendships were born and left behind while working. I engaged in activities with my kids schools, but other than that there was not much time for hobbies or activities to develop while I worked. After my divorce, I retreated from the world and live by myself now. Forever grateful to my lifelong best friends and my kids for their support, I am still alone. After Covid my mind and body fully understood it was time to retire. But I faced the future not fully comprehending what lie in store. Having been retired now since October 1, 2022 I’ve passed the “newness” feeling like I’m on an extended vacation stage, to the “What now?” stage and frankly it’s been daunting. This book was recommended to me and it has so changed my perspective that I’m truly excited for this new season of life. In Ecclesiastes 3 Solomon writes about the seasons of life and The Byrds Turn, Turn, Turn song is based upon these truths. This is a new season and it’s time to embrace it. This new season holds so much life in store, this book has shown me this and so much more. Trust me, if you’re in this stage or approaching it this book is for you. Here’s to truly appreciating the gift of this season.

I enjoyed this book but as a married 66 year old with 3 grown children and 9 grandchildren and a spouse who just retired, I have not yet experienced the down time of nothing to do and how to fill my time. I thoroughly enjoyed the spiritual aspect and having cared for 3 elderly parents witnessed first hand the surrender of all earthly things. I hope when the time comes, the mercy of God will help me to die well and the time I have left will leave a legacy of accomplishments that will bloom in my family's hearts. Faith, forgiveness, mercy and understanding. Thanks to the author for writing this and expanding my horizons. Well worth reading.

This book is excellent reading and reinforces the savoring of life and cherishing the value of continuing to becoming and the blessing of growing into God. The author describes age as an opportunity to go inside ourselves and harvest the bounties like trust and the presence of God. I read the comment that by “not telling those who follow us the stories of what it took to get here, we fail the harvest of our own life and plowing days of theirs” as a motivation to tell our stories. Loved the chapter on Religion when she quoted the Tibetan master as saying, “A burning stick, though turned to the ground, has its flame drawn upwards.” Further the author challenges us to not let old ideas choke new insights out of us. The chapter on Time is appreciated. However, I think addressing time managements ideas of I have all the time I need, I have all the time there is would be valuable. The chapters on Wisdom and Limitations are excellent. One of my favorite lines in the book is, “A blessing of these years is the ability to see that life does not have to be perfect to be perfect; it only needs to be forgiving-and forgiven." I highly recommend this book.

This was recommended for our book club. Am enjoying reading it and allows for a lot of positive self-reflection. Appreciate the author being so understanding and empathetic - yet at the same time, inviting us to challenge ourselves and how we can view life in a better way.

This book is amazing. I was having difficulty with the idea of getting older and letting go of my idea of what life would be like. So many books on the subject to choose from, but I'm glad I chose this one.

sharp insights and thoughts for reflection and action. I liked the ideas around dealing with past and future. Must read.

The Author has opened up for us a new perspective in the ageing process which helps us to live life to the full building on what has gone before us

A delightful, clever and affirming book.

This book provides you with insight and confirmation of how to deal with life as we and/or our loved ones grow older. Well worth reading and I love that each chapter covers a new topic, so you can go back to the book over and over again reading whichever chapter or chapters you need to review! I have given additional copies to people as has my mom!