I have been very interested in the Paraclete Press sale. I have read a number of the books (and reposted reviews for them). If I had unlimited time and money I would buy a number of the books that are on sale. So far I have only purchased one, but I think I will probably buy at least 2 or 3 more. The sale ends tomorrow.
James at Thoughts, Prayers and Songs blog posted a review today of Soul Unfinished: Finding Happiness, Taking Risks and Trusting God as We Grow Older by Robert Atwell. It is another one of the books that is on sale for $2.99 from Paraclete Press.
Sometimes as people age we watch the fire in their eyes die long before their breath grows cold. Women of faith falter as they spend the winter of their years alone. Men who were once pillars of their community become empty shells. Thankfully not every one ages in this way, dying before their time. Others find strength in faith and cling tenaciously to life continuing to give and grow. Robert Atwell, the current Anglican archbishop of Stockport has written a book about the spirituality of aging which promises to help us make the most out of the last quarter of our lives.
Atwell begins Soul Unfinished with an invitation. In our day and age, we can generally expect to live longer than our parents and grand-parents. So when retirement rolls around, we can choose to not give up but keep on living. Atwell exhorts us to continue taking risks, share wisdom and to go deeper in our relationship with God. Atwell then describes retirement age, life in later years, memories and the role of elders in nurturing corporate memory, the healing painful memories, forgiveness and reconciliation, self discovery and becoming and finding happiness, joy and gratitude.