November 4, 2024 —An inspired group of residents at Kendal at Ithaca, a senior living retirement community in Ithaca, NY, have taken to the literary world with the self-publication of “Narrating Our Lives,” a compelling collection of memoir vignettes now available on Amazon. This endeavor showcases the residents’ independence, energy, and self-motivation, reflecting the unique spirit of the Kendal community. All funds made from the sale of the book will go to the Employees Futures Fund, which supports employees pursuing further education.
In this volume, resident writers from Kendal at Ithaca offer vivid glimpses into their past, illustrating how significant moments can inspire and enrich our daily lives. The book features thirty-two life stories that emerged from a writing course led by Professor Jane Juffer from the English Department of Cornell University. Professor Juffer regularly teaches at Kendal at Ithaca as part of the community’s programming. To further engage readers, the volume includes some of the writing prompts used in the course.
In the introduction to the collection, Professor Juffer instructed residents that, “this is not a chronological account of their life and that they should just sit down and write, focusing on sensory details such as smell, touch, sound and sights.”
Resident Nancy Ramage shares, “Being in these memoir classes was a truly marvelous experience and opened up new avenues of writing for many of us. Jane, the teacher, created a wonderful atmosphere and encouraged us to be open with our stories from the past. In addition, the atmosphere of her classes was so mutually supportive that it brought out recollections that — in other circumstances — we might not have been willing to share. As far as I could see, everyone was interested in everyone else, and no one was ever made to feel left out or inferior for what we wrote or said.’
The narratives within “Narrating Our Lives” resonate with universal themes, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences through the power of storytelling. Each vignette serves as a testament to the enduring impact of personal history, offering wisdom, perspective and fun to those who read or hear these tales.
Stories include a diverse array of topics and experiences, drawing readers into the rich tapestry of life as seen through the eyes of Kendal residents. This collection is not just a book, it’s an opportunity for connection and inspiration.
Story excerpt: Bantum by Daniel Cozart: “He was small for his age, a Bantum. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1935, that meant he was bullied. His running career began because he hurried home after school to avoid beatings. When his family moved to Valley City, North Dakota, he was recruited to the high school’s cross-country team and became its leader. Did his success stem from chasing after dreams or fleeing demons? I wonder.”
Story Excerpt: Casey and Me by Marjorie Smart: “It’s a crisp sunny October day in 1947, the fall term of my eighth-grade year. The maple trees surrounding the school in my western New York village are ablaze in shades of red and gold. As I walk into Mr. Hickey’s math class, my hands are clammy, and my heart is pounding. Yes, I’ve done my homework, but I’m terrified that I’ll be selected to go to the blackboard and explain the solution to the dreaded problem.”
Story excerpt: Miss Zeigler and the Mogul Emperors by Esther Riley: “My parents were missionaries in western India. As there were no appropriate schools for me to attend, they sent me to Woodstock, a missionary-led boarding school in north India. All my formal pre-college education was there except for kindergarten and part of the first grade, and eighth grade and part of the ninth grade when my parents were on furlough in the U.S.”
To purchase a copy, visit Narrating Our Lives: Memoir Vignettes from the Kendal Retirement Community.
Media can request a free copy to view.
For more information about Kendal at Ithaca, please visit www.kai.kendal.org.