The Seventh Tuesday We Talk About the Fear of Aging Summary

By Albom's next visit, Schwartz's condition has deteriorated. He has finally lost one of the only battles he dreaded. He can no longer reach behind himself to cleanse after using the bathroom. Typically, he asks if his home-care worker would mind doing it for him, even though it's her job.

Schwartz tells Albom that he was initially embarrassed by it, but only until he realized he was embarrassed simply because culture told him he should be. He decided to ignore culture and not be ashamed. In doing so, he began to enjoy his dependency. He can now enjoy being treated, once again, like a baby, cherished and pampered and looked after by its mother. No one ever gets enough of that, he says. This is...