A sense of personal affirmation can occur when one is able to identify with or learn from another’s experience. Recognizing commonalities with someone else, born out of happiness or sorrow, can guide one to follow his or her own sense of purpose. With wise perspective and compassion, Charlotte Jarmy invites readers to appreciate such commonalities through her reminisces and observations in Reflections: A Columnist’s Journey Through Time.

In her book, which comprises writings published in the Los Altos Town Crier from 1993 – 2003, Jarmy relates what’s on her mind and in her heart: anecdotes of her family and friends, remarks on current events, and heartfelt memories that serve her equally as inspiration and sustenance. In a foreword passage, she writes, “I see the past as part of our present; it walks with us to light the way.” What’s evident – and most endearing – is that she doesn’t offer this compendium so much as one-sided commentary but rather as a means of forging a connection with her readers. In turn, readers share in the stories of her life, which inspires them to reflect upon their own.

She speaks of the myriad of roles she has assumed over the course of her life, including (though certainly not limited to) that of a student, teacher, author, wife, mother, and grandmother. She personalizes incidents like the Oklahoma City bombing and the tragedies of 9/11. She recounts how her Jewish heritage has not only shaped traditions in her life, but also her keen appreciation of history (especially of the Holocaust) and its enduring consequences. Her ruminations and reactions are touching, sometimes pointed, and always sincere.

In perhaps the most poignant sections of the book, she writes about the losses she has suffered, most profoundly those of two sons as well as her first husband. With a refined dignity that many would find difficult to maintain under similar circumstances, Jarmy writes about how she initially dealt (and continues to cope) with her grief. Her ability to articulate her bereavement while not losing sight of her own ambitions stands as a wonderful example of perseverance and human spirit.

By writing so candidly about her own life, Charlotte Jarmy lets the reader feel like a trusted friend rather than an anonymous observer. She expresses her emotions and wisdom through the lens of her experiences. And while she didn’t discover the Polio vaccine or split open the atom, frankly, neither did most people. Most people live their lives to the best of their ability, with the hope of contributing something of value to those around them. Reflections: A Columnist’s Journey Through Time is one of Charlotte Jarmy’s contributions and it sure is a good one.