The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully

The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully
by Joan Chittister

The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully
List Price: $19.95
Our Price: $12.95
You Save: $7.00 (35%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $12.83 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


(Click here)
Buy this book at online book store in your country
Canada | UK | Germany | France

Book Summary Information

Author: Joan Chittister
Edition: Hardcover
Published: 2008-05-01
ISBN: 1933346108
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Bluebridge

Book Reviews of The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully

Book Review: The gift of ideas
Summary: 4 Stars

I'm impressed to learn that this book was written by a 70-year-old Benedictine nun, which gives Gift of Years both strengths and limitations.

The book reads like a series of sermonettes. We get the "what" but not the "how." And I think the author assumes her audience shares her values and opportunities.

She seems to have a solid grip on the spiritual dynamics of growing old. But she writes about areas where her lack of experience seems obvious: dealing with health issues (especially the health care system), finding meaningful work after retirement, and making friends when you don't have time or opportunity to develop a shared history.

Not everyone finds meaning in helping others. Some people are better suited to working and donating to charities rather than taking a hands-on role in the charities. Some people want to relax and be door-greeters at Wal-Mart or (as she suggests) teachers' aides at a local school (not an easy job to get). But a lot of people will find those roles meaninngless, degrading and more stressful than the high-powered jobs they're denied.

A good book if you've got strong spiritual values, a solid support system, most of your health and financial sufficiency. If you're 80 years old and still running marathons between visits to the grandchildren, you'd probably love this book.

Summary of The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully

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. Central throughout is a call to cherish the blessing of aging as a natural part of life that is active, productive, and deeply rewarding. Perhaps the most important dimension revealed lies in the awareness that there is a purpose to aging and intention built into every stage of life. Chittister reflects on many key issues, including the temptation towards isolation, the need to stay involved, the importance of health and well-being, what happens when old relationships end or shift, the fear of tomorrow, and the mystery of forever. Readers are encouraged to surmount their fears of getting older and find beauty in aging well.

General Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Catholic Books for Catholic (and other) readers: Sr. Joan Chittister
Vivre dans la lumi?re ImageVivre dans la lumi?re
by Joan Chittister
Bellarmin; Published: 2001-06-01; Paperback; Book
Heart of Flesh: A Feminist Spirituality for Women and Men ImageHeart of Flesh: A Feminist Spirituality for Women and Men
by Joan Chittister
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Published: 1998-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.79
Price in other shops: $20.00
Faith and Ferment: An Interdisciplinary Study of Christian Beliefs and Practices ImageFaith and Ferment: An Interdisciplinary Study of Christian Beliefs and Practices
by Joan D. Chittister, Martin E. Marty
Augsburg Fortress Pub; Published: 1983-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops: $15.95
Psalm Journal for Lent ImagePsalm Journal for Lent
by Joan Chittister
Sheed and Ward; Published: 1988-12; Paperback; Book
Price in other shops: $3.95
How Shall We Live Because There Is a Monk in All of Us ImageHow Shall We Live Because There Is a Monk in All of Us
by OSB Joan Chittister
Benetvision; Published: 2006; Paperback; Book
Best price: $99.59
Icon Rebel Saint ImageIcon Rebel Saint
by Joan Chittister
Credence Cassettes; Published: 1995-02-01; Audio Cassette; Book
Best price: $9.95
Religious Orders ImageReligious Orders
by Joan Chittister
Natl Catholic Reporter; Published: 1994-10; Audio Cassette; Book
Best price: $8.95
In the Light of the Messengers ImageIn the Light of the Messengers
by Joan Chittister
Published: 2005; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.95
Life Is for Living Advent Reflections ImageLife Is for Living Advent Reflections
by Joan Chittister
Published: 2003; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.33
Beauty Breaks Open The Human Heart ImageBeauty Breaks Open The Human Heart
by Joan Chittister OSB
Benetvion; Published: 2004; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.90
Similar Books and other products
The Story of Ruth: Twelve Moments in Every Woman's Life ImageThe Story of Ruth: Twelve Moments in Every Woman's Life
by Joan D. Chittister
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Published: 2007-03-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.33
Price in other shops: $20.00
40-day Journey With Joan Chittister (40-Day Journey) Image40-day Journey With Joan Chittister (40-Day Journey)
Augsburg Fortress Publishers; Published: 2007-10-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.71
Price in other shops: $11.99
Scarred By Struggle, Transformed By Hope ImageScarred By Struggle, Transformed By Hope
by Joan D. Chittister
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Published: 2005-03-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.04
Price in other shops: $12.00
A Friendship Like No Other: Experiencing God's Amazing Embrace ImageA Friendship Like No Other: Experiencing God's Amazing Embrace
by William A. Barry
Loyola Press; Published: 2008-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.72
Price in other shops: $14.95
Prayer (Catholic Spirituality for Adults) ImagePrayer (Catholic Spirituality for Adults)
by Joyce Rupp
Orbis Books; Published: 2007-09-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.33
Price in other shops: $10.00
Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God ImageQuest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God
by Elizabeth A. Johnson
Continuum International Publishing Group; Published: 2007-10-14; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $15.57
Price in other shops: $24.95
Welcome to the Wisdom of the World: And Its Meaning for You ImageWelcome to the Wisdom of the World: And Its Meaning for You
by Joan Chittister
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Published: 2007-07-24; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $8.94
Price in other shops: $20.00
Things Hidden: Scripture As Spirituality ImageThings Hidden: Scripture As Spirituality
by Richard Rohr
Saint Anthony Messenger Press; Published: 2008-01-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.96
Price in other shops: $19.95
To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings ImageTo Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings
by John O'Donohue
Doubleday; Published: 2008-03-04; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.49
Price in other shops: $22.95
Seven Sacred Pauses: Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day ImageSeven Sacred Pauses: Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day
by Macrina Wiederkehr
Ave Maria Press; Published: 2008-04; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.05
Price in other shops: $18.95
Book store. Illustrated catalog of books on different categories