Tick of Two Clocks: A Tale of Moving On

Old age is no longer a blip on the calendar, but a significant and important part of life that should command as much thought and anxiety as teenagers give to exam results and young marrieds how many children to have. Joan Bakewell, a Labour Peer, author, and champion of the older people's right to a good and fruitful life, decided to move from her old home into another. This was an emotional and urgent task, involving disposing of things accumulated during a long life, saying goodbye to her home and the memories of more than fifty years, and managing family expectations. Bakewell tells us a story of our times and how she is learning to live to the sound and tune of The Tick of Two Clocks: the old and the new.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 02 September 2021
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Old age is no longer a fleeting moment on the calendar, but a significant and integral phase of life that demands the same level of contemplation and anxiety as teenagers contemplate their exam results and young married couples plan their family size. As I approach the latter stages of my life, I have transitioned from the familiar home I have called home for over 50 years to a new dwelling that will be my final resting place. In writing about this transition, I aim to reconcile with the inevitable but confrontable reality of aging. Joan Bakewell, a Labour Peer, renowned author, and ardent advocate for the rights of older individuals to lead fulfilling and productive lives, faced a pivotal moment when she realized she could no longer remain in her old home. This decision necessitated confronting a series of urgent and emotional tasks, including disposing of the belongings amassed over a lifetime, bidding farewell to her beloved home and the cherished memories it held, and contemplating the necessary preparations for downsizing. Moreover, she had to navigate the expectations of her family, which added an additional layer of complexity to the process. While some aspects of this transition were exciting, such as planning the colors and layout of a new, smaller flat, others required immense courage, such as parting with books, paintings, and cherished mementos. It is worth noting that our world is constantly in motion, whether willingly or involuntarily, and many individuals are fortunate to reach remarkable old ages. Joan Bakewell's personal story serves as a reflection of our times and her journey of learning to embrace the rhythm of two clocks: the old and the new. Through her narrative, she shares insights into the challenges and rewards of aging and offers a valuable lesson for all of us as we navigate this significant phase of our lives.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 143 x 225 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780349013930