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The Years of Ripening focuses on personal transformation, the wonder and goodness of our hidden self, how the qualities of our personhood have been expressed, and in what ways we can claim ever more of the truest reality of our inner being.
As old age takes place, our physical being naturally weakens and wrinkles. At the same time, our non-physical being smooths out with a peaceful satisfaction. The tight ridges of past failures recede and dark illusions fade as we increasingly trust our life to be a harmonious song rooted in love. This encourages us to shed our self-willed, false control until we become freed from what binds our spirit. We let go of who we imagined ourself to be and grow in a transparency that reveals our seasoned-with-love self.
All is not ended with our final departure. We leave behind the beauty and bounty that resided within our aged selves. Like a ripened melon on the vine, so the matured fruit of our loving heart and weathered wisdom leaves a beneficial legacy to nurture a future generation.
Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, international retreat leader, and conference speaker. She is the author of numerous bestselling books, including Praying Our Goodbyes, Open the Door, and Fragments of Your Ancient Name. Her Orbis books include Prayer, Walk in a Relaxed Manner, The Cosmic Dance, and Vessels of Love: Prayers and Poems for the Later Years of Life.
“Joyce Rupp is one of my all-time favorite spiritual guides: she’s a wonderful mix of wise, calm, and challenging. And her insights on aging have been of enormous help in my own life. They can help you in yours too—since we’re all aging in one way or another. Let her new book help you to do it with grace, courage, humor—and joy!
– James Martin, SJ, author, Learning to Pray
“What a kind, wise and generous gift Joyce Rupp offers us “Elderhood Explorers” in this treasury of insight for gleaning the grace and engaging the challenges of the final decades of our lives. In the full maturing of her own gift of soul-care for so many, she now accompanies and supports us with her “weathered wisdom” to brave our fields ready for harvest, to taste at last the fruit of a spirit ripened by transformation and readied for transition.”
–Kathleen Deignan, CND
