Today I saw the Bird of Time, drifting high above the trees
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sailing with an air of grace, tranquility and ease.
I longed to have those wings to fly, what comfort it would be
to leave the brutal world below, and float in peace with me.
Milly Jones' book The Bird of Time is about capturing life as it is being experienced.
The 84-year-old author will launch the book at Laurieton United Services Club on Wednesday April 10, 5.30pm.
The author, who has lived in Kendall for 30 years, says she "can't help writing".
"Because I am at this age, I am seeing how different people deal with the challenges of ageing," she said.
"I'd like to think it (the book) could be a bit of a roadmap to life."
The book is dedicated to the Dying with Dignity group ,with $2 from every sale donated to the group.
"The book has two sections with the second half more for people who are ageing," she said.
"When you reach a certain age, we are all going through the same things; having very similar experiences.
"But no-one ever told us about getting old.
"I mean none of us want to die. But I am not scared of what's happening.
"I am already there (at this point of my life) so I think it is great if we can make the best of being in the here and now.
"Just because we are older it doesn't mean we can't still be with it."
The author says the book is designed for older people but encouraged "people in their middle age" to also have a read.
"It might help them," she adds.
Once upon a time, everyone in the family would be living around you as you aged. But not nowadays.
- Milly Jones
As she has aged, Milly says she has noticed that many families struggle to find genuine time to spend with older members of their family.
"Once upon a time, everyone in the family would be living around you as you aged. But not nowadays," she said.
"There are too many instances where families live far and wide.
"It would be wonderful if the younger generation could spend time with us as we age; to talk and laugh and remember all the things we have lived through.
"That's why I am not particularly interested in having a funeral. I would rather people (family and friends) come and tell me how great I am now," she says.
She also encouraged more older people to consider making an oral history of their family.
"Writing or recording that history can be very personal and it would help everyone," she adds.
The Bird of Time is her fourth book. She is already working on her next project.
She plans to decorate the LUSC for the launch to create "a cheery event".
"This will be a night for us all to fly high in the sky," she said.
Milly Jones will launch The Bird of Time on April 10 at LUSC, 5.30pm.
To RSVP phone 6559 4364.
The book costs $25 but is discounted to $20 at the launch.
