Tag: aging

When things get hard, we look to our most fundamental relationships. This is the story of a son, a father, a camper van, a pandemic, and the ties that bind.

A meditation on the nature of grief, at a time when the whole world seems to be grieving.

Emily Flake reflects on the shifting nature of magic and power in middle age.

An entanglement with her shrink-stalking protege teaches Susan Shapiro something about forgiveness.

Winston Ross recalls the heartbreaking ordeal his family endured after his mother’s routine surgery led to post-operative delirium.

Laura Lippman, admittedly a rotten friend, is bummed by the ways in which friendships end as one gets older.

Struggling with fluctuating hormones, Wendy Gan is inspired by the musician Mino to stop muting herself and return to writing.

The death of his life-long skateboarding friend prompts Aaron Gilbreath to get back on his board — at 44, with his toddler daughter in tow.

Peering into the mirror of her mother, Marcia Aldrich wonders whether she too is sentenced to dementia.

Artist Myfanwy Tristram was irritated by her teenage daughter’s extreme fashions — until she took an illustrated journey into their origins.

As Anne Liu Kellor says goodbye to her Chinese grandmother in the hospital, she taps into buried memories and family trauma.

From straightening her teeth to finding her true love, Summer Block has reached the milestones in her life later than most.

While under the influence of Valium, Scott Korb reflects on all the fathers he could have been and the father he has become.

In an excerpt from her new book, Darcey Steinke investigates — and debunks — the demonization of anger within the female body.

What don’t these stem cell snake-oil salespeople have? Any science to prove their claims or any scruples about preying on the vulnerable.

It wasn’t entirely Laura Lippman’s idea to become a mother in her 50s. But when it happened, she leaned in hard.

Matthew Salesses considers the impact of his wife’s passing, and other factors, on his experience as a human passing through the fourth dimension.

Jennifer Baker considers the ways in which hair removal rituals, begun in her tween years, have helped her achieve body acceptance and connect with her own desire.

Sara Fredman thinks about the voices in her life as she raises young children and reckons with her fading father.

Some of the trappings might change, but you at 27 is fundamentally you at 37 is you at 47. La plus ça change!

“Over the months, spending time with these more seasoned humans offers a perspective that is grounding, calming.”

“He thought he could live with the punishment of grief—he had done what his wife had asked—but the punishment of the law would be another matter.” Ann Neumann investigates why mercy killings and murder-suicides are on the rise.

Marlene Adelstein finds herself transported back in time and consciousness via an inherited painting.

“You see that you can never go back. And with this knowledge a peculiar grief descends.”

Not planning for death is killing me.

A child’s doll exerts a gravitational pull on every member of her family.

Jen Doll comes to terms with her inner teenager … or whatever.

Raising a teenager of her own offers author A.M. Homes a glimpse into her mother’s experience of raising her.

Jessica Berger Gross reflects on what letting her roots grow in at age 45 has meant, in terms of feminism and resistance.

A new essay and podcast series examines how attitudes toward age and aging have changed.