Magical Memoir Moments
A Pennsylvania Christmas: A Living Example of Jubilación
On the way east from Collegeville, Minnesota, the last stop we made before turning south was at Landis Homes, the retirement community where my mother lives. There 40 descendants of Richard and Barbara Ann Hess Hershey gathered to celebrate Christmas. In the middle of our circle sat the grande dame, the matriarch, the dowager empress….
Joan Rough Takes on a Big Challenge of the Jubilación Years : Forgiveness
My current theme of Jubilación, defined as joyful vocation in the elder years, does not exclude challenges. Far from it! Most people are well aware that aging inevitably has negative consequences and that the pains of youth and middle age continue into the elder years. Fortunately, even trauma and suffering can be met with resilience,…
The Pilgrim Soul in You: Traveling Toward Jubilación
I traveled to Iona, Scotland, and Lindisfarne, England, in hope of finding “thin places,” May 6-19, 2016. Three months later, I am finally ready to begin speaking about the impact of this trip. The first thing I did was organize my photos into an album in order to make a slide show. I didn’t want…
The Things They Didn’t Carry: Grandparent Jubilación
After the grandchildren leave, the house heaves a sigh. Some of the objects left behind carry the stories and await the next visit.
Stop! And Listen! — David Whyte, Krista Tippett, and Jubilación
Poet David Whyte believes that a beautiful question shapes a beautiful mind. Krista Tippett’s interview with Whyte inspired this assertion: I believe elders have invisible but beautiful new questions to live out in our time.
Sprinting into Older Age: Jubilación
After eight years of writing about memoir, I’m shifting focus on my blog. My new topic is “Jubilación.” Inspired by Isabel Allende, I’ll be writing about living the “third act” of life with passion.
Living a Dream: Owning A Bookstore
How many people living in a big city dream of getting away from it all, moving to a small town, and setting up a shop? How many harried professionals wish they could buy books, read books, and talk to customers every day? How many parents of young children wish they could go into a family…
My Dear God: How I Feel About Writing Another Book
Writing books is hard work. After writing, revising, publishing, and touring with a memoir, 2011-2014, I said I didn’t think I wanted to write another book. The only exception would be if I felt called again. When my friend Marilyn McEntyre asked if I would join her and others on a panel discussion at the…
In Defense of Iowa Caucuses and an Explanation for Mayor Pete’s Popularity Among Seniors
My best friend in Iowa is a country girl. Like me, Carol Bodensteiner grew up on a dairy farm in the 1950s. She wrote a childhood memoir, which brought us together. We are both writers. For the last two years, Carol and I have talked with each other once a month, discovering that we…
Slipper’d Pantaloons: A Parody of the Seven Stages of Man
My friend Tina took me to the theatre to celebrate my birthday. As we sat in the balcony, I eagerly anticipated Jacques’ famous speech, one I first heard live on the Goshen College stage. Do you remember “The seven stages of man” speech? Here is an old movie version that uses subtitles so you can…