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In this intimate and funny collection of essays on the sometimes confusing, sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious condition of being a woman over sixty, Susan Moon keeps her sense of humor and she keeps her reader fully engaged. Among the pieces she has included here are an essay on the gratitude she feels for her weakening bones; observations on finding herself both an orphan and a matriarch following the death of her mother; musings on her tendency to regret the past; thoughts on how not to be afraid of loneliness; appreciation for the inner tomboy; and celebratory advice on how to regard "senior moments" as opportunities to be in the here and now.
The first of what I think of as my age-related falls happened because I was engaging in behavior that was not age-appropriate. It was a gorgeous summer day, and I was riding on a narrow bike path behind my ten-year-old niece, who was out of sight. I’m not too old to ride a bike, but I felt suddenly compelled to ride “no hands” as I used to do when I was a girl of ten. You’re only as old as you feel! Aren’t they always telling you that? The carefree breeze caressed my hair and the warblers sang for me in the bushes, until my wheel slipped on some gravel at a curve in the path and down I went, skinning my knees, hands, and elbows. Wheeling my bike, I limped to where my niece waited for me at a fork in the path. “My God! What happened to you?” she exclaimed.
“Pride goeth before a fall,” I told her. I have given up riding “no hands” for the rest of my life—one more age-related loss. At least this one is easy to live with.
As I get older the ground seems to get farther and farther away and it takes longer for my brain to get the signals to my feet, and vice versa. Sometimes when I first get out of bed in the morning I stumble against the doorframe on my way to the bathroom. My body used to take care of ordinary things like walking on its own without adult supervision; now I have to think about picking up my feet.
I’ve been watching a friend’s ten-month-old learn to walk. She holds on to the coffee table and walks herself along its edge, and then she takes the great plunge, let's go, and steps out across space, two full steps to the edge of the sofa! Triumph! As for me, I’m moving in the opposite direction. Some day the people in the room may clap for me, too, as I let go of the edge of the kitchen table and take the bold step across space to the kitchen counter.
Introduction ix
Part 1 Cracks in the Mind and Body
Where Did I Put My Begging Bowl? 3
Stain on the Sky 10
Leaving the Lotus Position 21
The Breathing Tube 26
Old Bones 40
All Fall Down 49
Senior Moment, Wonderful Moment 55
Part 2 Changing Relationships
In the Shade of My Own Tree 61
Exchanging Self and Other 70
House of Commons 79
Getting Good at Staying Still 85
Grandmother Mind 93
What If I Never Have Sex Again? 99
Becoming Invisible 103
The Tomboy Returns 108
Part 3 In the Realm of the Spirit
Tea with God 119
I Wasn't My Self 122
You Can't Take It with You 133
The Secret Place 138
Talking to My Dead Mother 144
For the Time Being 153
Alone with Everyone 160
This Vast Life 168
Acknowledgments 173
Credits and Permissions 175
Anonymous
Posted January 18, 2011
This is a wonderful book from start to finish. My only criticism is that I did not want it to stop. I am not sure that I would want to call it "humorous", although there is plenty of humor. It is more of a description of a personal journey that is easy for anyone to relate to, regardless of gender, philosophy, religion, etc.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 29, 2010
Thank you Susan Moon! She who was never planning to get old, has certainly found the words, grace, humor and wisdom to have crafted a wonderful collection of essays on the very subject. I am not a Buddhist, nor do I understand Zen, but I was captivated by Susan's ideas, and her courage to be so honest in her own questions about it. This has joined my favorites list, it was an enjoyable read, but one I put down several times to think. I kept thinking I'd like to meet this woman, I think I'd like her.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.A very real, warm, insightful glimpse into Susan's real life. It was comforting for me to read that someone else shared my experiences as an older woman including the fact that I rarely feel "old" at all. It is nearly as if Susan was by my side at times. It's a feel-good read. Meditattive. I highly recommend. Thank you, Susan!
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Overview
In this intimate and funny collection of essays on the sometimes confusing, sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious condition of being a woman over sixty, Susan Moon keeps her sense of humor and she keeps her reader fully engaged. Among the pieces she has included here are an essay on the gratitude she feels for her weakening bones; observations on finding herself both an orphan and a matriarch following the death of her mother; musings on her tendency to regret the past; thoughts on how not to be afraid of ...