Gracious Uncertainty

October 9, 2017
In simple, yet lyrical prose, Sigloh (Little Trees Walking), a retired Episcopal priest, ponders a variety of existential and theological questions related to aging. Short chapters typically begin with descriptions of experiences, such as “When my mother was in her eighties, she started putting things in little plastic bags,” which then unfold into a reflections on, for example, the longing for certainty: “Sometimes I wish I were a fundamentalist.” Drawing inspiration from a range of sources, such as quantum physics, Joseph Campbell, poetry, movies, scripture, and her own personal experiences, Sigloh creates indelible images, as with her story of falling out of a boat into rapids after catching a fish and stubbornly clinging to the rod. Elsewhere she conveys how a church sanctuary stripped of its religious imagery on Maundy Thursday evoked the raw emotional wounds caused by her son’s death. Questions for reflection and discussion, such as “How has your name influenced your life?” offer thought-provoking prompts on each chapter’s topic. Sigloh is an honest, intelligent, and companionable guide for readers wishing to bring grace into the process of aging.