Growing Old with Noise‪!‬

The collection, "Growing Old with Noise" contains two stories or novellas. The first, "Under the Snow," deals with a spouse's situation in caring for and in loving a husband as his dementia worsens. In this story there is no question that her husband suffers from a memory disorder. Like many in that situation, she tries to find a balance between his needs and her own as a person. There is a moral dilemma in trying to achieve that balance. The heroine's choices, given her age and circumstance, may not satisfy or please every reader.

In addition to dealing with the progression within dementia from the perspective of the care giver, there is the overriding issue of aging and the important question "Why should we age peacefully and fade away without second and third chances in life?" "Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light." (Dylan Thomas) The first novella also considers that question of possible additional chapters in one's life, regardless of age.

The second novella faces 'fading away peacefully without second and third chances in life' too. But it also confronts another issue for some seniors: being labeled or declared senile erroneously. This could be attempted by well-meaning relatives or by those who would seek gain or at least the release of responsibility by that declaration. And this labeling could be completely without merit. Yet, it might or could result in a senior being moved to assisted living, a specialized memory unit, or a nursing home when no such placement was needed or justified. The second novella, "The Gift of Now," explores that reality and how the main characters fight back by trying new situations. Their motto could be expressed as: "Be like a tree, standing tall and strong, yet flexible enough to bend with the wind."(Native American Quote)

In the course of both my professional life (I was a psychologist for more than 35 years) and my private life (I have/had members of my clo