Gettin' Old Ain't for Wimps: Inspirations and Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tickle Your Funny Bone

by Karen O'Connor

Speaker and author Karen O'Connor urges her post-fifty friends to "laugh and love all the way home to the Father's house." With humor and wisdom, Karen shares personal and gathered stories about the blessings of surviving and surpassing middle-age. Gettin ' Old Ain't for Wimps overflows with candor and helps the boomin' baby boomer market celebrate For those who have already traded in their wimp status for a more courageous existence or those still wondering about the future, this delightful read affirms that the latter decades are filled with God's promises and joys.

Genres: Humor, Adult

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2004

About the author

To see politcs Karen O'Connor

I’ve been writing, teaching and speaking for 40+ years and have authored books, magazine articles, blogs, educational texts, and digital books.
I got hooked on writing when my third grade teacher assigned students to write and illustrate a book for a class project. I knew then I wanted to be a ‘real’ writer some day and see a book of mine in a bookstore and in a library.
Every day I look forward to going to my desk. In recent years I’ve focused on writing humor for seniors, including the best-sellers, Help, Lord! I’m Having a Senior Moment and Gettin’ Old Ain’t For Wimps. Some of my books are now on CD, as well. And many titles are available for the Kindle. Please check out my Books page.
I also take great pleasure in helping others with their writing. Over the past 30 years I’ve taught for a variety of schools and conferences, including the University of California Adult Education, the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild, the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, and currently for Bravewriter.com where I teach Write for Fun online for kids ten to fourteen.
I was honored to be named Writer of the Year for 1997 by the San Diego Christian Writers Guild, in 2002 I received the Special Recognition Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference for writing and mentoring, and in 2004 I accepted the International Reading Association Award for my article for children on Kurdish refugees published in Highlights for Children magazine.
If you’d like to explore what’s involved in writing professionally, I invite you to look into one of the many conferences available.
In addition to writing, teaching, and occasional speaking I am also a mother, grandmother, great grandmother and now a widow. My husband, Charles Flowers, passed away in 2015. Currently I live along the Central Coast of California, rich with farmland, foothills, forests and the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

Reviews

[Anastasia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not really find the stories very funny and the spiritual aspect seemed out of place.

[Carole Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I'm a senior citizen, this book was a fun read about all the different things in life that "trip" us up. All of these are told in humor with a touch of reality. The subjects range from food, to pets, to family, friends,technology and so much more. I've had this book on my shelf forever. The book was given to me by a colleague and friend on my 49th birthday. That was a while ago!!

[Janet R. Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute mini stories and I loved the scripture and prayer at the end of each one.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I could definitely relate, now that I am nearly 53 years old. If I had read this even as recently as 5 years ago, I would not have understood the humor. It provides lots of good stories, but hard to keep momentum to finish the book after a while. The book does help you realize that we all sooner or later will go through aging-related issues, and that God is in control.

[Bo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book disappointing. Purporting to be humorous, and styled as a devotional book, I found it lacking in both respects. I didn't find many of the stories very funny, although, a few brought a smile, and perhaps even a slight chuckle to me. The devotional aspect seemed largely contrived, although there were some good points made.

Additionally, there were a couple stories that referenced drinking alcohol, which I do not believe is appropriate for a Christian. And the book used the NIV, which is not a preferred version of mine.

I would probably give the book 2 1/2 stars if I could.

[Manette · Rating 3 out of 5]

My accurate rating:
As a collection of short stories 4
As a devotional 2

This book is written in the style of a devotional: a brief story, scripture, and a prayer. I think there is a lack of cohesion between the stories and the verse and prayer. The stories were enjoyable and there were a few that caused a laugh out loud response. But the spiritual element felt forced like it was a marketing add-on to sell to a particular demographic. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this as a devotional.

[RYCJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

One way to describe this collection of short stories is by imagining marginally embarrassing moments, anyone at many ages might encounter, and writing these moments with a silver pen on scented lavender paper for your best friend to read. The good thing here is the largely calming reading experience.

[Heidi Saxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read one chapter each night to my mother, who has dementia and is living with us, before she goes to sleep -- it always feels good to end the day with a chuckle!

Sometimes the "spiritual lessons" felt a bit forced, and I sometimes skipped over that part. But mom and I could both relate to the experiences of the contributors. Thanks, Karen!

[Linda M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just the book I needed to read after my knee surgery last Thursday. I can relate to many of the stories & reflections. I would laugh at something, & then read it to my husband. As a good friend told me before my surgery, "aging isn't for sissies".

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my bathroom "break" book. Most of the stories are only 2 - 3 pages long so it works out great. I'm not sure sometimes how the verse lines up with the story, but I can see the intent was for good.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. Short stories about getting older along with biblical verses to relate with each story. You could read several stories together (like a "regular" book) or you could use it as a devotional and read one story a day.
Thanks for the gift, Kwana!

[Sophie Lott · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not sure why I read this it literally doesn’t relate to me at all. I’m not a church person and I’m not old. Other than that I didn’t find any of the stories funny and as for the scripture it would relate the stories to, I didn’t see the relevance or connection of the two.

[Shannon Rickert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so recommend this!!! This was so neat hearing all the different stories and (whew) seeing how much i can relate to a lot of them!!!

[Anita Elder · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too preachy with lots of bible quotes.

[Sue J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite interesting!

[Virginia]

This is in Stan's office SE section bottom shelf.

[Johnnie High · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and entertaining

[Joe Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book with it's short stories, biblical verse and a prayer tied to both. As I'm getting older, more of these stories are hitting close to home.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

light heart enjoyable reading.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read about the journey through old age. Short, quirky anecdotes ending with a biblical verse and a prayer - so appropriate.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't find many of the stories even funny but some were okay.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

These brief stories along with a bible quote and a sample prayer reminded me that the bible has many ordinary reminders about leading a good life.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a bunch of cute stories about things we do as we age mostly dumb stuff and laughing at ourselves. There is a nice Bible verse and prayer attached to each

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe old age isn't all fun and games, but Karen makes you look at it and laugh anyway. She proves none of us are exempt from senior moments in these short stories, each followed by appropriate scripture and a cleaver prayer.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a few mildly amusing anecdotes; however, many of them didn't seem all that funny, and while good humor is always important, especially when dealing with problems, there was not a lot of true inspiration in this book. Not bad for a quick, easy, read, though.

[Dorry Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, rather short was stories about people getting old and how they handled situations. I think it was written to show us older people how to laugh with the many errors we make. Good reading for anyone but especially those in the "golden years".