Author: Missy Buchanan
Located in: Rockwall, TX
Submitted: April 05, 2010
Tell us a little about yourself. My husband and I are empty-nesters who have raised three terrific young adult children. We love life and are still crazy about each other. I am also blessed to have a group of close friends who encourage me daily. In this second half of life, I became a caregiver for my own elderly parents. That's when God unleashed a new passion in me... encouraging older adults, particularly those who are vulnerable.
What was your motivation behind this project? My parents, now deceased, were the motivation behind both of my books, Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body and Talking with God in Old Age. As they neared their 90th birthdays, I realized that these faith-filled people were not being spiritually nourished. Unable to attend their home church, they needed devotions that pertained specifically to this season of their long lives. I began to write for them. At the same time, I also began to develop relationships with many other older adults at their senior residence where I went each day. The devotions of both books are taken from real-life experiences and conversations with these precious older adults.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? Many older adult readers tell me that my books bring them comfort because they talk about real issues of aging. The devotions, much like many of the Psalms, are honest, heartfelt cries to God. Written from the perspective of older adults, they are authentic to the mindset of those who struggle with physical or emotion loss during their last earthly years. They do not sugarcoat life, yet they bring a word of hope. I have also found a secondary reading audience... family members and caregivers for older adults. And just recently I found that a youth minister is using both books for a youth program on developing compassionate hearts toward older adults. How great is that?
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? For me, writing, speaking and nurturing relationships with older adults are all rolled up into one ministry. I cannot separate them. Every week I visit residents and friends in several senior care centers. These older folks are dear to me and provide many topics for my books and for my monthly United Methodist Reporter column, Aging Well. I ask questions and listen carefully. I keep a notebook handy, too, when I travel across the country to speak to groups of older adults at churches or at senior residences. I love meeting older adults and hearing what is on their hearts. One thing I've learned is that aging typically brings great loss and great joy. It is important to acknowledge both.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? Just this week I heard singer Amy Grant talk about her parents who now live in assisted living. I could almost hear my own words as I remembered my own parents who died at 89 and 92 years of age. Every day I draw inspiration from faith-filled older folks who are facing the challenges of aging with grace and courage.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: I have the cutest 17-month old grandson ever!
