Review
BLANCHE BLACK'S
THE ART OF AGING:
INSPIRATION FOR ALL AGES
by Joan Sonnenburg
The Country Senior
May 2002
Beyond Declining Years
If you're old enough to consider yourself a senior, or mature enough to feel depressed about the prospect of growing old, or especially if you're young enough to believe anyone beyond 50 is over the hill, then Blanche Black's book, Beyond Declining Years: The Art of Aging is a must-read for you.
This slim, attractive volume of the collected writings of Blanche Black, free lance writer, poet, and dynamic "advanced age citizen", takes a positive look at aging. From the table of contents throughout its three chapters and numerous subsections, the book is upbeat. Chapter headings like "Count Your Blessings", "A Toast To Life", "Celebrating Your Tomorrows", and the recurring reference to "gifts" set the tone of the book.
The Art of Aging offers the wisdom of a woman who has embraced life in all aspects, both the good and the bad. It is a coffee table book, meant to be picked up whenever you feel in need of its insightful musings, whether you are suffering declining health, have lost a loved one, or just need reassurance that growing old is not the end of life. "Nobody thinks alike," says Blanche. "Different strokes for different folks. You might read the book and one chapter might not be suitable for you, but it might be suitable for your neighbour. It's what you call universal."
The Art of Aging suggests that all experiences in life are a gift, and those of us who are "advanced age citizens", having experienced the most in life, have received the most gifts. The gift of good sense, of maturing, of experience, of memory, and of wisdom, just to name a few.
The book begins with a whimsical romp through the alphabet, "The ABC's of Aging" The author uses each letter to illuminate some aspect of aging. For the letter D she writes,
Declining years are for the old fogies. Just because you're getting up there doesn't mean it all goes down hill from here into the dull and dreary. May as well delight in the view. You've made it this far.
The chapters that follow deal with the problems of aging: myths, moods, troubles, illness and disability, dependency, loneliness and loss, and retirement. But each problem is prefaced with the word "Beyond". While the author accepts the inevitable problems that come with growing older, in each case, she looks beyond them to find the positive. In "Beyond Dependency", she writes:
If we have made freedom our daily exercise and life practice, then during times of great difficulty, or during the breakdown of our bodies, when we become obviously dependent on others, we will not feel resentment. Others might even find us a joy to take care of.
The truth is that we have always been dependent on others. That is the nature of being human and living on this planet.
Or in "Beyond Troubles",
Whatever ails you, laugh. Its the best remedy. And its cheap cheap cheap.
When asked what she finds to laugh at in a world so full of troubles, Blanche's reply is characteristic. "When you fall flat on your face, then that's a good laugh," she says. "Things that backfire on me. I like to laugh at those."
Blanche's style, while lyrical, is readable for people of all ages and education. "You don't have to get a dictionary to look up the long words," she points out. "It's what you call everyday language. It's for the young - we're all young at heart, you know - the restless, and the rest of us."
The Art of Aging represents 35 years of writing. It grew out of the columns which for many years Blanche wrote in the Alberta Postscript. She has also published numerous other articles in magazines and newspapers, and she is a respected poet. Blanche's poetry has been featured for the past ten years on the website for the International Poetry Hall of Fame.
Now in her 80's Blanche Black is the living proof of her own words. Still active and vibrant, she is at present involved in a demanding round of book signings. As for future plans, Blanche just chuckles and says, "The sky's the limit."
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