Book In Review

      When I Am An Old Woman…I Shall Wear Purple.   Ahh…a woman after my own heart; I thought.   ‘Til I realized that she was rebelling against society by wearing purple; and, wearing a red hat at the same time.  She was comitting a crime against the fashion police!   Again, a woman after my own heart !

        She tired of living by everyone else’s sense of propriety…of setting examples for the children and doing what others expect of her; so she dreams of a time when she is elderly and can do what she wants without regard for the opinions of others. 

         I find that both sad and encouraging…strange to have that exact combination  of  emotions.  It is a fact of life that we must balance our desires to do what we wish; along with doing what is right, while at the same time, being true to our self and becoming who we were born to be. 

         It is also sad, that many people find that they dont know how to do that balancing thing; without having a real or imagined veil of senility to hide behind… to be able to live as they wish.   

         This book, is an older book that i have had on my shelf for many years.  But, i have to say that i find it quite interesting.  It is a book of poetry and short stories.

       The general theme is one of aging women, and their personal observations on getting older.  How their lives have evolved over the years.

        Some of the writings are sad…some are silly…some evoke an alarming awareness of what the future holds.  In essense, it tells the truth of aging.

         When you read it, you are made aware of where you are at in your life and how you relate to those who are your elders…and, how you relate to family…and how, someday, others will relate to you. 

         Life is definately a circle…one that if you are lucky enough to live many years on this earth, you will begin to see yourself go from child, to parent, to grandparent, to some sort of child-like life once again.  Hopefully, in each stage you are loved and cherished as we are all meant to be!

        This book was edited by Sandra Martz; the copyright says 1987 by Paper Mache Press.