Table of Contents
Welcome to PEARLS!
First Words
Why this book? Why Pearls? Why Women’s Wisdom? Why Not Men?
What’s in Our Minds
Attitudes, Staying Mentally Alive
Worries
Thinking About Change and the Three M stages
Stereotypes, Wisdom
Ages and Stages
What Does it Mean to be Old?
Remembering Being Young, Growing Up, Mentors
Age Transition: Wisdom for Our Younger Self, Favorite Age
Bodily Realities
Appearance: Are Looks Important? Looking at Ourselves, and Listen to Mom!
Health: Assessing Changes, Health Nuisances, Menopause
Spiritual Foundations
Connections
Bonds With Others, Making Friends
Our Nearest and Dearest: Widowhood, Divorce, Losing Loved Ones
Dealing With Time
Sharing Our Time: Causes, Volunteering
Can there be Too Much Time? Loneliness and Solitude
Day by Day
Hiring services—“Stuff”—Legalities—Driving—the Other Half
Later Life
Living Situations: Housing, Caregiving
Retirement, Use of skills
Smiles and Wise Words
Humor and Age
She Said It (and So Did He)
Final Touches
Seasoned Reflections
Rethinking Technology
The Last Word
List of Survey Questions
Participants by State
Acknowledgements
About the Author