Browse through any book store or surf the Internet on aging and you will find most books focus on staying young. Writers give all manner of hints on preserving youthful appearances, so that you continue to be an active, vibrant "older"person forever. I do not deny the importance of physical exercise, diet and other means to stay well and healthy. But what these books don't tell you is that whatever we do, there are inevitable losses in later life. Someone has quipped that the three greatest temptations of older age are to whine, recline, or decline. I confess I have done all three. The apostle Paul said it best, "The outward nature will waste away, but the inner spirit can be renewed every day."

Since medical science has prolonged our life span, we are confronted with an extended time of life, which challenges all of us. We cannot escape some debility, loss or diminishment as we grow older. Often the media praises a 85 year old man who skis the slopes with the greatest of ease.

But what about the 85 year old man confined to a wheel chair whose positive attitude, contagious humor and love of life is of equal significance. Golda Meir was right when she said, "Old age is not a sin; but it isn't a joke either!" You will face arthritis, poor eyesight, loss of hearing, spinal stenosis and other physical disabilities. Count on it.

The books I have written view aging as a spiritual journey. In the midst of difficulties and threats to our well being we can keep our spirits alive and well. That's why spiritual reading is so vital in the later years. That's why keeping in close touch with older persons who are full of the Spirit, keeps poor spirits alive. One of the best prayers I ever heard was a gift from a Catholic priest.

May you die young
At a very old age.

I pray for us a longer life, but more important, a youthful spirit until the end.

QUOTES FROM MY BOOKS

Have you ever seen a boxer get knocked down, and yet with courage get off the canvas and stay in the fight? Knocked down, but not knocked out. Life if hard, and there are times when we get knocked down. Most aging persons have chronic health problems that do not respond to treatment as fast as those of the young. We feel knocked down. Fifty is nifty, but sixty, seventy are iffy. We may be afflicted and suffer many diminishments in old age, but we can get off the canvas and fight again.

Remembering Your Story

Since 2002, when this book was revised, it has remained a best seller among Upper Room Books. The reason for its success lies in the fact that there is a deeper hunger for persons to save their stories. The book is being used by small groups in churches, retirement communities and nursing homes to help people deepen memories of God's presence in their lives. Sharing stories has entered the life of congregations in a variety of ways. Some adults perefer to write their stories alone, and using the 100 questions in the back of the book Remembering Your Story, they are saving their stories on CDs or writing them. Others need support and encouragement. Small groups of 10-12 people meet once a week for ten weeks, and many began writing or recording their stories as a result of the group process. Sharing stories in church groups or other groups builds community. People who share stories become "soul friends," bound together in unique ways. Michael Vitez, a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote, "Across America people of all ages are writing or recording their stories for their families and generations yet to come. In so doing, they are making sure their values and beliefs will be remembered. Morgan's book is of great value in doing just that."

No Wrinkles on the Soul

As we get in touch with our stories, we gain a sense of who we really are, the person we must be now. Our lives resemble a patchwork quilt. We start with scraps of material, passed on to us, our genetic makeup, our family history and traditions. Then we add other materials with the talents and opportunities we've been given. Each story we tell is like a piece of quilt block that represents one bit of color or one piece of texture. Finally we take all these pieces of material and put them together and they become a unique pattern of our own making. When pieced together the stories become a beautiful quilt. Stories heal us as we remember the diverse fragments and witness the piecing together of the quilt.