Fullness of Time: Short Stories of Women and Aging

by Martha Whitmore Hickman

Fullness of Time contains nine short stories on theme of women and aging. One of the stories is "The Last Hour", originally published in Weavings and winner of the 1989 Associated Church Press honorable mention award in fiction. By reading Fullness of Time, the reader will benefit - identification (the stories are true and reflective of compassion, pain, and humor - inspiration (a sense of peace comes from reading the stories) - illumination (helps the reader understand the aging process as a simultaneous act of hanging on and letting go) Written by a well-known author and printed in an easy-to-read typeface, Fullness of Time will satisfy readers with its friendly, warm, and tender stories.

130 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1990

Reviews

[Karen Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kudos to the author for taking on a different subject than most - the ups and downs of aging. She has a light touch with stories and these were satisfying. It was more religious than expected (including Bible verses that open each chapter).

A few things were a disconnect for me, including the cover (why have a very young woman on a book that showcases older women?!?). Also...having dealt with several nursing homes regarding my elderly mother...some of the details did NOT align to any of my experiences. For example, in "The Last Hour" - the nursing home aide who JUST MET the elderly woman is picking her up to check into the home? Instead of her daughter, who is RIGHT THERE? Oh no no no. Those places want a relative/primary caregiver to be there on intake and sign forms, align on medical, go over payment, etc. I cannot imagine an aide being allowed to do this.

But if you can work through a few issues like these, you will relax into a nice read.