The irony is that I remember my Mother reading Passages when I was in high school…probably about the time my Grandmother came to live with my parents. A quick look on Amazon revealed that the Passages book was written over three decades ago. It has been re-released as a 30 Anniversary Edition with an updated introduction. A quick review of the Table of Contents revealed its relevance. The chapter titles resonant with my life of 50-odd years and I plan to read the book. I think it is about time I learn more about Passages – Predictable Crisis of Adult Life, as I feel I’ve experienced a few already!I can’t help but wonder what my Mother was thinking and feeling when she read the book in the late 70’s. At the time she was a fulltime caregiver for her Mother who lived with my family. She was also facing an empty nest as my sister and I prepared to leave for college. Did the book bring her solace and solutions? Did the book bring her hope? Did the book cause her to rethink her future? Did the book prepare her for the path she now travels?
These thoughts help me remember my Mother as she once was – a vibrant, intellectually curious woman. It is amazing that a mere book, published in a 30 year interval, can bring me closer to my Mother. I only wish we could discuss it now and I realize what I missed by not discussing it when it was first published. As a self centered teenager, I didn’t realize exactly what my Mother was going through….because she handled caregiving so well. This knowledge has improved my caregiving momentum. Great news in the middle of a cold, snowy January when responsibilities can seem daunting.
Eric Tinsley
George Slater
