Leaving Home at 83

Join Sandra Butler as she leaves her home and community of fifty years to move into a residential facility in an unfamiliar city. With meals, activities and proximity to her children, what could possibly go wrong? Well, as it turns out-just about everything.

Butler vividly portrays the intricate challenges of this late-life transition, capturing the struggle to adapt to an institutional setting with whatever cheer could be mustered. Each day was a new adventure, pretending all is well for her children, trying to make conversation through masks and faulty hearing aids, and the anticipation of a dinner that might, just might, be flavorful.

Butler's funny, honest account brings a welcome and necessary perspective to the inevitable moment when we end one chapter and begin whatever comes next.