Page 40 - Storytelling - Storylistening

X. Publish or Perish: “I, Witness to History” Preserves Residents’ Life Stories in Race with Final Deadline
Coping with Death and Retirement
Some elders were terminally ill when they decided to publish their stories. In such cases, says Asla, book production becomes an oasis, providing the stricken and their loved ones a shared sense of purpose with meaningful opportunities to reminisce and console rather than helplessly wait for the final hour.
“It was like dad died, but we hung on to part of him,” one person told Asla.
For those with time to live, writing a book is a way of reclaiming a sense of self-worth diminished by retirement. Being productive defines who we are in today’s culture, and contributing our life story to family and society is something nearly anyone can do despite physical or cognitive impairment, says Asla.
IWH interviewers make a point of asking elders about what has happened in their lives since retirement – a time many feel is not important because they are no longer working and “productive.” The interviews often prove just the opposite, becoming a journey of self-discovery that reveals post-retirement lives rich with volunteer involvement and adventure.
Porch Swing SeriesTM Culture Change Workbooks ©Action Pact, Inc.2005-2006 p.36