A candidly told, thought-provoking, important book…
Drawing from a lifetime of personal experiences and reflections on the changing seasons, as well as influences from art and literature, Berner creates a moving and contemplative narrative that exposes his innermost self in this thought-provoking book about the inevitability of aging. Youth, Berner states, is a time of blissful ignorance, where thoughts of aging and mortality are distant and easily ignored. But time is a relentless force, etching its mark on our bodies with creases and graying strands of hair. Our once strong frames begin to grow weary and frail, and the words on page become blurry without the aid of reading glasses. Suddenly, we are faced with the reality of growing old—a journey filled with unexpected health challenges and the looming sense of limited time. Berner was 56 when a brush with death in the form of a heart attack forced him to confront the fleeting nature of life and find solace in the present moment. The book chronicles his personal transformation during the time between the start of standard time in November and the return of daylight-saving time in the spring. Berner deftly spins intricate details into his prose, painting a tapestry of the ordinary moments that make up life; the shifting weather, family gatherings, literary events, mundane tasks, and leisurely strolls with his faithful canine companion, inviting readers to join him in his contemplation. Through sharp observations and deep insights, he offers advice on how to navigate the twisting path of aging, appreciate each passing moment, and find fulfillment in the evolving chapters of life. Themes of existentialism and mortality are delicately woven into the narrative, beckoning readers to ponder their own solitudes and legacies, and the fleeting yet eternal nature of time. A remarkable work about a man’s search for joy and purpose in his remaining years on this earth.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
The Power of Growing Older
David W. Berner
Pub date July 26, 2024
ISBN 978-1-80341-511-6
Price $12.95 (Paperback, $6.99 eBook
