Escapees May June 2015 Demo

From the Bookshelf

“This book contains the stories of older Americans who have forged their unique paths in business, sports, education and, most importantly, life. They include business owners, teachers, soldiers, musi- cians, writers, laborers, artists and barbers.”

Marcella Gauthier #12371, From Working to Wisdom: The Adventures and Dreams of Older Americans

Shifting Gears: One Family’s Journey to Find Sim- plicity and Purpose in a Changing World Mimi Roberts • Publisher: Black Rose Writing 2015 • ISBN: 978-1612964690 • Paperback: $18.95 • Kindle: $6.99

From Working to Wisdom: The Adventures and Dreams of Older Americans Brendan Hare • Publisher: Joppa Flats Publishing 2015 • ISBN: 978-0996003407 • Paperback: $16.95 Kindle: $6.99 Unlike some societies, in this country the wisdom of elders is a valuable asset that is often unappreciated. Society’s young can profit from the life’s lessons learned if they will only listen. This book contains the stories of older Ameri- cans who have forged their unique paths in business, sports, education and, most importantly, life. They include business owners, teachers, soldiers, musicians, writers, laborers, art-

Mimi Roberts is a fabulous writer who is funny, insight- ful and inspiring in spite of the sometimes difficult hand life has dealt her. She and her husband, Paul, were caught in the collapse of the real estate bubble in Florida. They had bought an old neighbor’s house to remodel and to sell. But then the bottom fell out of the market. This bad luck was followed by a near-fatal medical emergency for Paul that devastated them both

ists and barbers. These first-person narratives describe the hopes and dreams of 46 men and women. Their stories are inspiring and often heart-warming. They describe the richness of life in later years, confirming the idea we are in charge of our own lives and attitudes. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, whose death occurred 150 years ago this April 15, “Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be,” and “In the

emotionally and financially. Owning a 1977 banana-yel- low VW camper bus named Daisy, they decided to travel to find the meaning of life and its purpose. Taking their two children, Ana, in the second grade, and Max, in late elementary school, they set off on a three-month odyssey around the United States. Mimi talks about traveling on the cheap, sleeping at restaurants and stores. She ponders the fallacy of true home ownership. Her children blossom as they travel seeing various parts of the country, and she offers insights and experiences in family-building oppor- tunities. One of her final comments was, “As for me, well, if I had to sum it up, I’d have to say that it’s easy to know what’s important in your life—it’s a lot harder to figure out what’s not. And that has made the world of difference in my life.” This book chronicles a wonderful adventure for the Roberts family. Sharing their experiences, joys and tribulations is a reading pleasure well worth the effort.

end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” If anything, this book is about the experience of growing older and the joys and wisdom that come with the lessons of life. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these older Americans.

60 . ESCAPEES | May/June 2015 | www.escapees.com