Welcome to the third volume of our I Matter series that explores how people influence us for the good, and how we can make a difference in others’ lives.
This book is a collection of short essays written by 35 people from all walks of life. All of the essays, intentionally or otherwise, have coalesced around the theme of inspiration. Whether it be divine inspiration or just watching someone who is worthy of admiration, the essay authors all touch on how they inspire and/or were inspired.
- Title : I Still Matter: Finding Meaning in Your Life at Any Age
- Authors : Harlan Rector, Edward Mickolus
- Publisher : Wandering Woods Publishers
- Publication Date : December 8, 2021
- Language : English
- Paperback : 154 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1735074756
- ISBN-13 : 978-1735074757
- Item Weight : 8.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.35 x 9 inches
Table of Contents
Editors’ Introduction
Foreword by Robert Creal, Inspiration
CHAPTER ONE
The Age of Innocence: Childhood / Elementary School
Al, by Mike O’Malley
Detroit and the Cry of the Banshee, by Greg Barry
Piglet and Pooh, by Sheila Weinstein
From Humble Beginnings, by Harlan Rector
An Ode to My Auntie, by Virginia Riley
The School That Never Ends, by Kathy Triebwasser
An Overheard Conversation by Vicki Macfarlane
CHAPTER TWO
The Age of Learning: High School / College
Okeechobee Cows, by E. Timothy Lightfield
The Measure of Success, by Sue Jones
In Deep, by Robin Wright
CHAPTER THREE
The Age of Responsibility: Adulthood
Two Tacos To Go, by Greg Barry
An Empty Nest, a Divorce, and a Pandemic, by Dorri Hall
What Did Your Daddy Do During the War?, by Jack Rawcliffe
Called to Active Duty, by Jim Hunt
CHAPTER FOUR
The Age of Action: Work/Career
MLK Day, by E. Timothy Lightfield
Real Stories from a COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Study Participant, by Harold Dockins
Flying in the Air and on the Ground, by Bob Heffernan
Fiberglass, by Bill Seebold
Cerberus, by Susan Hasler
Ministering to the Ministers, by JeaNette Goates Smith
God Is Building a House, by Chuck Brockmeyer
Miracle on Fifth Avenue, by David Spaeth
Bernardo Bertolucci and Jonathan Demme Pranked Me, by Elaine Chekich
CHAPTER FIVE
The Age of Sharing: Family/Marriage/Children
He Never Did Fail Me, by Richard Willits
The Kindness of Friends, by Sue Jones
“Strike Three, You’re…”, by Derek Gillespie
Prayer to God for Safety on the Road, by Chuck Brockmeyer
To the Giver, by Sally Wahl Constain
The Right Thing, by Greg Barry
I Matter, by Jim Conroy
Gifts, by Vicki Macfarlane
The One, by Laurie Winslow Sargent
Becoming the Best Husband on the Planet, by Alan Freedman
CHAPTER SIX
The Age of Reflection: Retirement
Lighting the Way, by Anni Rawcliffe
The Right Thing To Say Too Late, by Marian L. Beaman
Emergency Response Team Leader, by Susan Schjelderup
Lost Goodbyes, by Ed Mickolus
Blurry and Dark, by Vicki Macfarlane
Why I Still Matter, by Darion DuBois
Being at the Finish Line, by Jack Knee
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Age Beyond Memories: After You’ve Gone
At the End; In the Silence; Then and Now, by Sheila Weinstein
Epilogue by Patricia Krause, A Salute to Life Savers
Book Club Questions
About the Authors
Editors’ Introduction
Welcome to the third volume of our series that explores how people influence us for the good, and how we can make a difference in others’ lives.
It has been fascinating to see the directions our authors have taken us. For some, this is the opportunity to get their feet wet in finally getting around to writing their memoir. Others just want to have the opportunity to thank someone for lending a helping hand when they really needed it. Others celebrate having taken the opportunity to give others that hand. Still others find that their essays serve as talking points for their admissions interview with St. Peter, establishing that theirs was a life worth living. In part, Heaven is being remembered for the good you did in life.
All of the essays, intentionally or otherwise, have coalesced around the theme of inspiration. Whether it be divine inspiration or just watching someone who is worthy of admiration, our authors all touch on how they inspire and/or were inspired. Some get their direction from the Bible—some from distributing Bibles—or other religious texts, some from good works, some from the works of others. Virginia Riley welcomes the influence of family members, nuclear or extended. Kathy Triebwasser shares how the next generation influences its predecessors. Sheila Weinstein cherishes the memories of real friends. Susan Hasler thanks the contributions of mentors, whose contributions can last throughout a career. Elaine Chekich thanks mentors for a specific lesson. Hal Dockins celebrates the opportunity to help others. Even imaginary friends, real enough when needed, can inspire us and our descendants in marshalling our inner resources, as you’ll read in Mike O’Malley’s charming essay Al. Jack Knee celebrates helping others’ arrival at the finish line.
As with the two earlier I Matter volumes, we have included extra space at the end of each chapter for you to jot down your thoughts about these phases in your life. Feel free to share them with us.
The essays in the three I Matter books have been positive, sometimes very personal, seeds planted by the authors without any knowledge as to their impact or impression on the reader. That’s good to know, for as a wise man once said, “What happens to the seeds you plant for the common good is none of your concern. All praise for the nurturing and outcome belongs to our Creator.”
Harlan and Ed
