Minnesota writer Andrea Gilats thought her new book Radical Endurance: Growing Old in an Age of Longevity was originally going to explore the issues of ageism that the Covid-19 pandemic brought to light. And while she does touch on that, the book turned out to be a more encompassing guide about the pitfalls and possibilities in growing old.
Radical Endurance spotlights the hard truths about old age, including ailing health, ageism, nursing homes, and the right to die. But Andrea also points out the pleasures and possibilities: encore careers, wisdom, and finding peace.
In a recent What We’re Reading interview, Andrea described how writing the book helped her come to terms with her own aging process (losing a spouse, chronic health issues) and she felt that she wasn’t alone in this. She explained, “I feel that I'm not the only one that these things have happened to, or that might feel that way. I was really trying to reach out into territory that would be shared among anyone that might read the book.”
Radical Endurance also touches on spirituality. In her essay “Afterlife,” Andrea describes how she wasn’t brought up to believe in an afterlife but carrying the grief of the death of her husband Tom with her into old age helped her heal—and this became a spiritual turning point for her.
“It helped me understand that the people we lose, we never lose. They are always with us and that is a spiritual dimension to being…I do believe that at some point, in some way, I will be reunited with him. I'm not specific about religion or anything [in the book], but I can't imagine that there cannot be a spiritual dimension to life.”
What advice does Andrea have for those in their old age?
“Be yourself. You're past the point of having to prove anything to anybody, and what we have that is not possible at younger ages is wisdom. So, affirm that for yourself and follow the path that makes you feel peaceful, comfortable, enriched and content. That's what life in old age is really about. It's about peace. It's about vitality. It’s about contentment.”
Learn more about Andrea Gilats and her books on her website.
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