Life Gets Better
The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older
by Wendy Lustbader

"Growing old is not for sissies."

Or at least that's what we've been led to believe. If, however, we are to believe Ms. Lustbader, the aging process is the good stuff - the rest is just a means to an end.

In careful reflection she points out the traumas, obstacles and difficulties of growing up. The so-called "good old days" include such thing as puberty, school, and first everythings (love, jobs, fights, houses, deaths…). There is fear of almost everything because at each step along the way you are anticipating something you have never before experienced.

Once you experience some (but not all) of these things you realize they are not that bad. The ones that are, like the death of a loved one can happen to you at any age and the more you experience, the more you acclimate. Not accept, not enjoy, not get used to - simply acclimate.

Of course, there are health (both mental and physical) issues that come with age but Ms. Lustbader deals with those as well in Life Gets Better: The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older

I'm not sure if I'm ready to accept and try all of her thesis, but then I lean toward cynical. She certainly has the credentials to back up what she is talking about.

In addition to being an author of a multitude of books, she is also a professor, a lecturer and social worker. And like the rest of us - she is aging.

I must admit it provides much to think about. It is not a difficult read and one that I would recommend you try.

After all, if there is a better way to face aging, count me in.

Reviewed by Debbie Hanson (10/11)

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