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MONROE: Author tells about retirement life

Amy Batista, Special Writer
   MONROE — Monroe had a special treat on Valentine’s Day — afternoon tea at Monroe Village with author Jan Slepian and her illustrator Laura Shreiber.
   Guests were invited to meet Ms. Slepian, whose 2009 self-published book, “Astonishment: Life in the Slow Lane,” is a series of 20 witty essays about “life in the latter years of one’s life.
   In the book she comments on being old, the comfort and heartbreak of companionship in a retirement community, and the everyday life and ridiculous moments that come with it that brought out the laugh-out-loud moments during several of her readings.
   Ms. Slepian is best known for her books for children and young adults, which have made her a best-selling author, but today she has found a new audience and niche in her writing career at the age of 91.
   She returned to writing just a few years earlier. She writes now for her peers and neighbors in retirement communities, like Monroe Village, or what she commonly referred to as CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Communities). John Rauner, executive director, spoke a few words about Ms. Slepian’s background and then read to the guests a couple of reviews of her book that he saw online.
   ”Jan Slepian’s books have always been very life affirming with a healthy dollop of humor to spice things up,” read one review by Daniel Berek of Flanders. “And this latest work certainly did not disappoint. The book is actually a collection of 20 short vignettes Ms. Slepian wrote for her community newsletter. In the title essay, ‘Astonishment,’ Ms. Slepian looks back with wonder — the miracle of being able to witness so much in life, both sad and happy but all good. Other themes cover friendship, grief, optimism, and the challenges posed by trying to open a bag of pretzels.”
   The review continued, “Jan Slepian is able to laugh through it all, giving both senior citizens and those of us who are approaching that stage much reason for hope. It also helps one see life through the perspective of a senior citizen. And, as always, her writing is clear and beautifully composed, accompanied by light-hearted illustrations by Laura Schreiber. I loved the book and will treasure my copy. And I will read it when I am a senior citizen and can look back on a life well lived. With astonishment.”
   ”It also helps one see life through the perspective of a senior citizen,” Mr. Rauner said. “And, as always, her writing is clear and beautifully composed, accompanied by light-hearted illustrations by Ms. Schreiber. I loved the book and will treasure my copy. And I will read it when I am a senior citizen and can look back on a life well lived with astonishment.” “As a matter of fact, I haven’t read some of those (referring to the reviews),” Ms. Slepian said.Ms. Slepian shared with her guests the decision to move to a retirement community and what prompted her to get back into writing again.
   ”After we settled, I looked around for something to do. There are lots of activities out there for you but I don’t play bridge, I don’t play Canasta, I’m a lousy gardener, I don’t even knit, as a matter of fact, I don’t do much,” Ms. Slepian said.
   ”So I joined a newsletter that we were starting up at that time and I began writing and hearing the back story of my companions and I learned an awful lot. There’s a lot to learn about being old. You sort of learn on the job, I say. I began writing about them. I learned that despite the struggle, there’s an awful lot to be amused at,” she added.
   ”I felt that everybody should get a medal for being where we are,” she continued. “
   This is where the inspiration for the cover of her book came from, when she and Ms. Schreiber collaborated. The front of her book has a senior facing a sky with a shooting star. The stars represent medals to Ms. Slepian.
   In addition, the guests were the first to hear a reading from Ms. Slepian’s new book that was just finalized and will be ready for release in about a month. Though the title is still being worked on, at this point she is considering calling it “Astonishment 2.” At the end of the afternoon, Ms. Slepian offered to sign her book for any of the guests that were interested.
   Guests learned and were inspired from Ms. Slepian how to appreciate a new chapter in their life.
   ”What I really want you to take away from this is first that I never thought, I never dreamed that I would write another book at my age or two books,” Ms. Slepian said. “I never thought that it would happen. I don’t want anyone to think that because you come into a CCRC that the surprises are over. They’re not over. Believe me. Look at me. There are possibilities still out there.”
   ”I thought it was beautiful. I didn’t expect stuff to eat or a cup of tea,” said Marjorie Bender of Monroe after just having her book signed by Ms. Slepian. “Everything was great. She is wonderful. I really got a lot out of her and I can’t wait to read the rest of (the book). It’s very funny. (The book) is amazing. I love it.”
   Ms. Bender has attended other events at Monroe Village and is not quite ready yet to settle into retirement community living.
   ”I thought she was right on target in so many aspects of aging and it was done with such a wonderful sense of humor,” said Pearl Kipness of Monroe. “It was something that everyone here could relate to that they remembered before or have experienced themselves.”
   ”It was just a marvelous thing just being here and listening to them (Ms. Slepian and Ms. Schreiber). A real inspiration. They are quite the dynamic duo, too,” said Ethel Kapin of Monroe after just having her book signed.
   ”Insightful, nice, funny. I look forward to reading the book,” said Grazyna Lebron of South Brunswick.
   ”We come and mix and chat with them and are able to tell them what it is really like to live here,” said Barbara Trismen of Monroe.
   Ms. Trismen enjoyed the event even more as she is an amateur poet who wants to get published.
   ”I have her e-mail and we will write letters,” she said. “She’s right on point and enjoying life and that is what you need to be willing to do. Attitude is everything. And this is a very friendly place.”
   Many guests at the event were there that day to explore the lifestyle of the retirement community and whether they wanted to consider giving up their independent living style.