Another inspiring part of our meeting was Dr. Sally Hare's sharing from her new book, The ElderGarten: A Field Guide for the Journey of a Lifetime. I loved reading this book about the necessity of not just growing older, but also growing into Elderhood by "committing with intention to the lifelong journey to wholeness." Sally includes in the Field Guide valuable practices for people on the journey, among them the "Practice of Being Present," ..."a way of living that comes from integrity, from undividedness between inner and outer." Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences is specially positioned to grow and nourish world changers who are whole, who are Elders in the best sense of the word.

For a personally & worldly challenging few months, I, a voracious reader, had trouble reading. In the last few weeks, I have been able to settle into that lifelong passion, with immense gratitude. One of the first books I read was ElderGarten. It resonated with me deeply, as I continue working part-time and trying to find a balance of a quieter life while engaging in social concerns on a voluntary basis. Just wanted to reach out and thank you.

We need this book, and if there was any doubt in your mind and heart about that, put it to rest.

The ElderGarten arrived here the other day, and I'm just delighted to read this very tender and generous book. I've already noticed way you have woven together stories, poems, ideas, orientations, all in the service of illumining a path to elderhood. I know this book will serve a lot of people well. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I loved your book! In fact, I read it two times, and I plan to spend more time with the book during the coming weeks. I found it inspiring and beautifully written . . . packed full of meaningful and life-changing information. That info could not have reached me at a better moment. Clearly, I have some work to do!

This morning I began my journey into The ElderGarten, and want to thank you for this wonderful gift. I found myself envious of your kindergarten experience. I wasn't able to attend kindergarten, because my folks were consumed with building a new home in 1961. My dad built it himself and it took a community of support from family and friends to help he and my mom reach their goal. As I look back at this experience after reading just a few pages of your book, I now see the beautiful spirit of love, community, and youthful play that house represents. What a gift my parents gave me. I think I will go slow in my reading and soak up all the radiant wisdom your book provides.

I'm clear The ElderGarten is MUCH needed these days. There are lots of people living it and who "get it" but who don't have the words for the concept yet. I have been taking The ElderGarten with me because the more I talk about it the more I understand it and can share it with others. I shared the book in the Soul of Leadership at Shalem Institute. I focused on steppingstones. I also talked about it in my Buddhist recovery group today. I focused on "going to seed." Some of the ideas are said so simply but are very deep. I think that's the hardest thing about sharing it. It doesn't penetrate just as an idea in the head. It's very experiential.

Thank you for putting so much of your lifelong learning and garnered wisdom in one volume that can be read and savored over and over. Thank you for introducing me to a new mythical guide -- the Sankofa bird who tells us it's okay to go back and fetch that which we have forgotten. Thank you for the gift of poems! Thank you for writing in circles, for stories from your childhood -- your grandmother and the turtle, which taught you about beauty long before Rumi's words -- and for the names of lipstick to describe the color of the camellia you planted when you needed something to mark your new life -- so luscious. Thank you for portals and threads and weaving and unlearning, for kindergarten classrooms and birthright gifts, for being you in the oh so many ways that have blessed oh so many of us.