On My Own at 107: Reflections on Life Without Bessie

Sarah L. Delany reflects on her life after the passing of her sister Bessie, with whom she lived for over 100 years. This memoir captures her experiences of suddenly living alone at age 107, after sharing a home and countless memories with her beloved sibling. The book chronicles Delany's daily routines, memories, and observations as she navigates her new solitary existence. She recounts stories from her past while describing how she maintains her independence and zest for life in her second century. The narrative alternates between past and present, blending family history with contemporary insights about aging and resilience. Delany shares both practical wisdom about longevity and personal anecdotes about her remarkable life as an African American woman who witnessed tremendous social change. This memoir explores themes of sisterhood, independence, and the quiet courage required to embrace life's transitions. Through Delany's candid voice, the book presents an intimate meditation on loss, survival, and the enduring human spirit.

Readers call this memoir a comforting continuation of Sarah "Sadie" Delany's story after the death of her sister Bessie. The book resonated with older readers who related to Delany's frank discussion of aging and loss. What readers liked: - Honest portrayal of grief and loneliness - Practical advice about independence in old age - Historical perspectives on social change - Delany's optimistic attitude despite hardships What readers disliked: - More fragmented and less polished than Having Our Say - Some repetition of stories from previous books - Brief length left readers wanting more detail Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (137 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (21 ratings) One reader noted: "Sadie's voice comes through clear and strong - she's like a wise grandmother sharing life lessons." Another wrote: "The book helps put aging into perspective with grace and humor." Multiple reviewers mentioned the book felt like a fitting epilogue to Having Our Say rather than a standalone work.

Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years by A. Elizabeth Delany, Sarah L. Delany, Amy Hill Hearth The memoir captures the century-long experiences of two African American sisters who witnessed segregation, civil rights, and social change through their remarkable lives.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd This narrative follows a motherless girl in 1964 South Carolina who finds wisdom and healing through the guidance of three African American beekeeping sisters.

Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody The autobiography chronicles a Black woman's journey from rural poverty to civil rights activism in the segregated South.

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson This work documents the stories of African Americans who migrated from the South to northern cities, revealing their struggles, triumphs, and impact on American culture.

Miss Jane by Brad Watson The story presents the life of a woman in rural Mississippi who faces physical limitations with determination while observing decades of social transformation.

🌟 Sarah "Sadie" Delany wrote this memoir at age 107, after the death of her beloved sister Bessie, with whom she had lived for more than a century 📚 The Delany sisters previously co-authored the bestseller "Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years," which was adapted into a Broadway play and a TV film 🎓 Both Sadie and Bessie were groundbreaking African American women - Sadie was the first Black person to teach domestic science at the high school level in New York City 🏡 The sisters lived together their entire lives, never married, and supported each other through the Jim Crow era, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Civil Rights Movement 🌿 In the book, Sadie shares her secret to longevity: a combination of exercise, gardening, healthy eating habits, and avoiding what she called "slave food" - foods high in fat and sugar that were historically given to enslaved people