Author Elizabeth Meade Howard felt abruptly promoted to family elder after the death of her father, an adman, writer, teacher and her lifelong role model. When facing her own later years, Howard sought guidance from resourceful and resilient older men and women whom she admired for their imagination, adaptability and graceful aging. Some were famous. In 30 intimate and often moving interviews with journalists, poets, politicians, actors and artists, Howard reveals the lasting legacies of creative people in their 70s, 80s and beyond. Interspersed throughout the book are short chapters weaving together Howard's family story with insights gathered from scholars and scientists who have researched the aging process.