Most of her life, Kathryn Allen Rabuzzi dreaded becoming an old lady. She saw them as nosy, unkind, and eager to gossip, and she swore she'd never become one of "them." But despite Rabuzzi's vow to stay young forever, the aging process eventually caught up to her-just like it will for everyone! Rabuzzi may have lost a little dermal elasticity, but luckily for us, she's lost none of her wits, and her sense of humor is as fresh as ever.
In this highly personal and hilarious memoir, Rabuzzi chronicles the ups and downs of growing old. Although most people aspire to age with grace, the process can cause some significant anxiety: Who am I now? What do I want out of life? Is there anything more that can be achieved? Is it even worth the effort?
The anecdotes in ElderFire honestly and vigorously explore the tragedies and triumphs of everyday life as a senior adult. From the challenges of physical deterioration to the thrill of new experiences-such as a writing class where a few fellow writers share mildly pornographic short stories-Rabuzzi's musings offer insights into "elderhood," a stage of life often overlooked but potentially rife with adventure.
About the Author: Kathryn Allen Rabuzzi attended Radcliffe College for two years before dropping out in 1958 to get married and start a family. She raised three sons while her husband, Dan, completed medical school and his residency. Ten years later, they settled in Syracuse, New York.
Rabuzzi earned her bachelor's and master's and a doctorate within six years at Syracuse University, where she also became a part-time English instructor. She has published three academic theology books about sacred femininity and motherhood. Additionally, she penned a memoir about childhood titled Rotting Floorboards and Debut Dreams: Tripping through Childhood before LSD, a literary novel entitled Just Do It, and a follow-up memoir called What? Did Harvard Admissions Make a Mistake?
Rabuzzi and her husband, who have been married for over fifty years, continue to live in Syracuse.