Dear Subscriber…

/ nagneberg48

September 18, 2024

For several years my Monday routine has included writing my Tuesday post and often the one for Thursday as well, but this summer I discovered technical issues. You, as a subscriber or someone on my email lists, received my posts as usual, but the posts did not appear on the blog website. That meant others, who were not subscribers, did not have access to a new post.

After initially trying to figure out the problem myself, contacting WordPress and also researching YouTube for possible solutions, I decided it was time for a Summer Sabbatical. I adopted Scarlet O’Hara’s philosophy of “I’ll think about it tomorrow.”

Eventually, however, I got serious and hired professional help, but, even with the best efforts, the problem remained.

Now what?

I moved into a time of discernment, and I discovered a number of things about myself and this stage of my life.

  • I enjoyed the new spaciousness of my days. Writing the posts takes a good chunk of time. I have enjoyed over the years using my time in this way, but now I was aware of how much space the blog has been taking in my head and at the keyboard. I realized how I was always on the alert: what to write about; what images could accompany my words; and even as I took my morning walk I rehearsed how to write about an idea.
  • I missed being visible. One of the things that happens as one ages in our culture is that we tend to become invisible to others. The blog at least gave me the illusion that I had not disappeared, and my ego loved that (loves that!). I wonder what the invitation is here.
  • I have become aware of the need to pace myself more. Quite simply, I am not able to do as much in a day as I once did and that means paying more attention to my energy and my priorities. What exactly are those priorities? I asked myself.
  • I realized my reading life had become an obsession. My Thursday posts were devoted to books –my recommendations and news about books. Was I reading in order to write an interesting post? Well, not entirely, but maybe, just a bit. And being known as someone who reads A LOT and is in the know fed that ego of mine!

The Spiritual Practice of Aging

Someone asked me recently “What are you up to these days?” and I sort of stumbled an answer, just like I am vague when someone asks me if I have any travel plans. With further reflection, however, I realized that what I am up to these days is aging, being an elder, inhabiting this stage of my life.

And what does that look like? What do I hope that looks like? What does it include? And how do I live that, practice that?

I think it involves a certain degree of surrender. Real surrender, it seems to me, involves letting go before one is really prepared to do so, before one is ready. And the issues with my blog seems to be one of those times. Would I choose to stop writing a blog if I didn’t have these technical problems? Probably not, but perhaps, just perhaps, this is one of those God moments. Renita Weems in her book Listening for God calls it “Gotta be God,” as in this must be God whispering in my ear.

My life is deliciously full, and I am so grateful for the ways I am able to use what I think are my gifts. Planning and facilitating the weekly writing group at church brings me such joy. Sitting with my directees in spiritual direction is an ongoing privilege. Being able to respond to other invitations, including writing opportunities, introduces surprise into my life and often challenges me to stretch and to deepen.

At the same time I want and need to be more available to friends and family, especially as many are facing the challenges of aging.

I apologize. I have taken too long to say that it is time for me to let go of my blog, Living on Life’s Labyrinth. The site will stay available for past posts and who knows maybe someday a solution to the technical issue will magically be solved or perhaps I will decide to start a new blog. But this is my decision for right now. This is what feels right and possible at this moment.

I am so grateful to all of you have read me faithfully, have made comments along the way, offered kind words, and shared my posts with others. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

My Parting Gift: Summer Reading Summary

Much of my summer reading has been for an article I am writing for BookWomen, A Readers Community for Those Who Love Women’s Words www.bookwomen.net about spiritual memoirs written by women, but, of course, I read some wonderful fiction, too. Here’s my list of favorites from June, July, and August.

  • Long Island by Colm Toibin (2024)
  • The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez (2024)
  • Family, Family by Laurie Frankel (2024)
  • Lucky by Jane Smiley (2024)
  • The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson (2024)
  • The Lost Art of Mixing by Erica Bauermeister (2013)
  • Forgotten on Sunday by Valerie Perrin (2015 in France, translated, 2023)
  • We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange (2021)
  • Sandwich by Catherine Newman (2024)
  • How to Read a Book by Monica Wood (2024)
  • You Are Here by David Nicholls (2024)
  • Found in a Bookshop by Stephanie Butland (2023)
  • In My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor (2023)
  • The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (2023)
  • Loved and Missed by Susan Boyt (2021)
  • Family Happiness by Laurie Colwin (1982)
  • The Wife by Meg Wolitzer (2003)
  • The Measure by Nikki Erlick (2022)

An Invitation

This is normally the spot where I pose a question for your reflection and invite your comments. Today I invite you to consider how you might adopt the spiritual practice of aging. I can still read any comments, if you care to send them, but the question–a big one–is more for your own contemplation.

Again, thank you for reading. I have loved having you along on this adventure. May your days living on life’s labyrinth be blessed.

42 thoughts on “Dear Subscriber…”

  3. Thank you for your ministry of tending souls. My life continues to be enriched and my faith deepened as we walked parts of this journey together. May the Spirit continue to Assure you & Bless you on your “Aging” Pilgrimage.
    Rosalind P

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  6. Hi Nancy,

    I meant to be brief but not quite as brief as my response ended up being! I enjoyed reading your blog over the years as it kept you in my thoughts and heart. However, I totally understand your reasons to stop writing. It sounded like it was becoming a chore and who needs more of those at this time in our lives! I will continue to be impressed with you no matter what!

    Love, Marcia

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  7. Thank you, Nancy, for all the ways you’ve continued to enhance my life and helped maintain some form of relationship, even more than a decade after being next doorsies.

    Be well, and please give my best to Bruce! 😘

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  8. Dear Nan

    Your blogs have given so much pleasure and I am very grateful to have met you on-line; thank you for sharing your multiple God-given talents.

    I think you are very wise to cut down on your commitments in this season of your life, and I wish you good health, self-fulfilment and joy always.

    Your life is such a gift and I thank God for you.

    Yours affectionately

    Mary Burke

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  9. Oh, how I will miss your words! I’ve not commented often; however you always gave me so much to ponder and think about. I’ve printed and saved many of your articles. And used several of your lists suggestions over the years. Not to mention all the book reviews!

    Aging is a privilege and you were/are very generous to have shared for so long. Thank you!

    Maile Marquand

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  15. Thanks, Nancy, for your blog.

    I have shared your book lists with friends and family over the years. I am in a “Heart Circle” and some part of aging is often a topic for which I’m grateful.

    Kim in Madison (Enneagram workshop)

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  16. Nancy, although I am sorry to lose this loose form of touch with you, and lose the enjoyment your posts have given me, I completely understand. Thank you for leaving the existing posts up for a time. All the best to you and your family. Enjoy!

    Sue

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  17. You have hit on so many points that resonate with me! I turned 70 a few weeks ago, and for some time have been noting with interest that I no longer feel the need to make a splash in this world. I find comfort in the familiar and I daily seek small moments of wonder around me, such as hearing the owl in the tree while gazing at the full moon at 5 a.m. this morning in my front yard.

    I hope to continue to work for more years, as it helps me stay sharp and staves off the depression that could result in feeling I am not needed. I teach art to adults with disabilities and manage their transportation on a daily basis. It’s a demanding job with long hours, but it serves both them and me well. But true peace comes when I get home at the end of the day and sit by my window in my glider rocker and play word games and catch up on daily news. The contrast of nonstop noise and activity during the day make for a most welcome evening of quiet moments.

    I appreciate your book recommendations and have made notes of ones to add to my TBR lists.

    Trust that you have made a difference in lives and can continue your path happily wherever it leads.

    Thank you! LaTrecia Raffety Georgia

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  18. Hi Nancy,

    I stumbled on your blog about a year ago after seeing one of your comments on Joanne’s blog ( I’ve been following her since her appearance on What Should I Read Next?), and I’ve found your perspective and recommendations to be so helpful and interesting. Thank you for your thoughtful work!

    Wishing you well in your next adventures, Susanna

    P.S. I’d love to hear you on What Should I Read Next? if you have ever considered applying.

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  19. Dear Nancy,

    Thank you for the thoughtful and thought-provoking post. I receive it with a tear – I will miss you – so much! And with understanding – I am also aging and living with the same questions you eloquently explored and expressed. It has been a joy getting to know you. I have learned and grown through your sharing and wise heart. You will be missed. I wish you all the best in this next phase of life unfolding.

    💕Diane

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  20. How I’ve enjoyed your blog over the years (not sure how many). Thank you for dedication, hard work, and sharing all this time. I will truly miss you and your writings! Your blog was one of my faves. 🙂 Love and blessings to you.

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  21. I’ve valued your blog, but I also appreciate and understand your decision to stop. Everything is temporary. Thank you, again, for sharing your wisdom with me.

    Mary Orr

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  22. This is a long time coming as a reply to your final post! It got hidden in my email and now that I’m finally cleaning out my email on this longest day of the year, I found your last blog again. Thank you so much for all the blogs you wrote, sending them out faithfully not really knowing who would read them or where they would land. I just want you to know that I have saved several of them (including the spiritual practice of sorting old photos!) to read again. You have a wonderful way with words and photography and your graciousness and kindness shine through.

    I am still plodding along with my blog, Spirit-reflections, and just finished a group of 20 Advent reflections, but I’m not sure either where to go from here. Blog writing takes prayer and thought and time! It might be lovely to be one of those writers who gets thousands of hits, but then again, it might not. I will be 66 in January so I, too, am reassessing how to spend my time and energy.

    At any rate, I wanted to thank you for Living on Life’s Labyrinth (a great title, by the way) and wish you a very holy and joy-filled Christmas Season.

    Blessings,

    Rosemary McMahan

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    • Oh my! Thank you so much for your loving and lovely comment. I have been reading your Advent reflections and have saved them to read once again during Epiphany when I can look back on what this extroverted time of the year has been for me. I welcome the return to some introverted time and your reflections will accompany me. I continue to struggle a bit with my non-blogging persona. What do I do with all those thoughts and ideas I continue to have? At the same time I feel myself settling into a different aspect of presence–not clearly defined yet, but unfolding. Thank you again and may all be well as you listen to your own powerful and wise inner voice.

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