MY HUSBAND, JOHN, was my first reader—and he is the hero of this book. I thank Martha Kaplan, my agent, who believed in me, and Dede Cummings, my publisher, whose enthusiasm was inspirational. I am grateful to my editor, Rose Alexandre-Leach, and to Lali Cobb, who was my first editor. I thank the University of Vermont for naming me a Marsh Professor-at-large and giving me a place to work. I thank UVM staff members, including Kelly O’Malley, who came to my rescue when I had computer problems. I appreciate the Wake Robin community, who applauded my poetry readings. I thank several good friends who read parts of the manuscript and gave me valuable feedback. I am grateful to Liz Bankowski, who convinced me that there is an audience for a book on aging from a woman’s perspective.