Review--WISE WORDS FROM WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE
WISE WORDS FROM WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE
CONGREGATIONAL UNITARIAN CHURCH
WOODSTOCK
$10
REVIEWED BY Patrick Murfin
Mature women have a lot to say. The accumulated wisdom of a life time of experience is like an old well, ready to be tapped, but often forgotten. The accomplished women of the Congregational Unitarian Church in Woodstock decided to do something about it. They created their own book, WISE WORDS FROM WOMEN OF CERTAIN AGE.
The women, ranging from 50 to more than 90 years of age, drew on a breadth of accomplishment and experience. They included professionals, educators, artists, business women, and homemakers. They have been moms and grandmas; been single, married, divorced and widowed. They have been healthy and ill, challenged by adversity and rewarded for achievement. As members of a Unitarian Universalist Church, they came from many faith traditions and each developed her own unique system of belief.
This is neither a how-to self-improvement manual, nor a brief for any particular belief system. Instead the women simply want to share what they have learned and invite the reader to participate.
The book is divided into several short chapters: love, family, friends, health, wealth, interests, attitude, challenges, death, wisdom, and a good life. Enteries under each category range from pithy axioms, to longer reflections and snippets of personal experience. No contribution is attributed to a specific individual so that personal knowledge of the a writer does not color the reader’s perception.
Some wisdom seems obvious. But obvious or not, it bears repeating because in the midst of busy lives we so often loose sight of the obvious. Other nuggets provide the perfect “Ah ha!” moment of recognition and enlightenment.
The authors want to encourage the reader’s participation. To that end their entries on printed only on the right-hand pages. The pages opposite are left blank as an invitation to set down personal reflections.
The Women of a Certain age are Lilly Bailey, Joan Coleman, Wenona Diggle, Jennie Dincecco, Sandy Eckert, Sara Fields, Jill Hartman, Lillian Hervert, Betty McCullagh, Sue Metivier, Madalin Prentiss, Helen Rehling, Tricia Schaefer, Audrey Stanowsdki, Dora Tippens, and Mae Vieregg.
WISE WORDS FROM WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE was created as part of the celebration of the Congregational Unitarian Church building’s 100 anniversary. Copies are available for $10 from the church at 221 Dean Street. For more information call 815 338-0731 or e-mail office@cucw.org.