ies when they moved into a retirement community.
continue going to church. I would hear resi-
dents in the hall passing each other say,
"How ya doin today?" The other would say,
"I'm just here." That's a sad thing when we
are "just here." It opened my eyes.
child I had been fo-
cused on taking care
of my parents physi-
cal needs, but I had
neglected their spiri-
tual life. They had
been pillars of their
church for almost 50
community, they were still driving for Meals
on Wheels. I had neglected to see that they
were wandering dangerously close to a spir-
itual desert.
initely slowing. It was hard for her to focus
devotions about things that were real to them, like
my mother learning to drive a power chair. I'd never
seen her afraid until the day she sat in the power
chair and had to learn how to drive it. She was visibly
shaken. I began to feel this tug on my heart.
"Missy, you need to have these published, because
they can help people." On a lark, I sent my notebook
to Dr. Richard Gentzler, Executive Director for the
Center of Aging and Older Adults of the United
Methodist Church. I thought he could post it online.
He took it to Upper Room who wanted to publish it. I
called it
one gentleman who said, "When you write for older
adults, don't try to sugar coat it. Tell the truth, because
that's our reality, and then give us hope."
Buchanan
and speaker who
offers realistic and
hopeful advice on
aging and faith. Last May she appeared
on Good Morning America to discuss her
latest book,
show's anchor, and Roberts' 87�year old
mother, Lucimarian Roberts. Missy also
writes a column for the United Methodist
Reporter, "Aging Well." In this interview
with Major Allen Satterlee, she avoids sugar-
coating the immense challenges of growing older
in a society that has become increasingly dispos-
able. She emphasizes the need to treat older
adults with dignity and respect, to listen to the
amazing stories they have to tell, and to walk
with them on their journey of faith.
Missy at book signing in Gulfport, MS (below).