Rita Lussier

ABOUT THE BOOK

What does a mother do when her youngest child leaves home and her perfectly ordered (well, almost) life is suddenly thrown off its tracks, leaving her to wonder if she will ever again find that comfortable rhythm, that sense of belonging?

After 27 years of motherhood, Rita Lussier’s youngest child heads to New York City and Rita drives home to what she thinks will be the calm after the storm only to find no comfort, nothing familiar. The parenting mission that had infused Rita’s days and nights with so much purpose has abruptly changed, and she finds herself re-evaluating her life. From rekindling her marriage and friendships, to kick starting her career, to making difficult choices about her house, finances and future–all the while adjusting to the ever-changing demands of children finding their way into adulthood and aging parents–Rita begins the long, difficult process of redefining herself and her next chapter.

And Now, Back to Me invites readers along as Rita recreates nearly every aspect of her life at a time when she thought she’d be kicking back to enjoy it. As a columnist for The Providence Journal, it was precisely these types of personal glimpses that endeared readers to her column, making it a popular feature of the newspaper for a dozen years. In her book, Rita shares her experiences with the issues that not only confront her at this midlife crossroads, but millions of parents as well.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rita Lussier is an award-winning journalist and writer whose column “For the Moment” was a popular feature of The Providence Journal for a dozen years. Her writing has also been featured on National Public Radio, in The Boston Globe, The New York Daily News, and many more. Rita enjoys coaching writers, conducting workshops and has worked as a publicist and editor. She has taught at both the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College. She lives with her husband  in Jamestown, Rhode Island where she enjoys running, walking and time with family and friends.

TALKING POINTS

• What nobody tells you about the emotional and psychological impact of “empty nest syndrome”
• Rekindling your marriage in the second half of life
• Redefining your role as a parent: learning to support adult children without overstepping
• How friendships change and evolve once your children have left home and how to navigate new opportunities 
• Living in the sandwich generation: How to manage responsibilities for aging parents while still being a supportive parent to adult children
• Finding and building a new sense of community in midlife 
• How to keep your mental health and well-being strong during significant life transitions

• How to reinvest in your own life by prioritizing your health and physical wellness
• How to thrive in midlife, even after your children leave

TIMELY TIE-INS

February

• National Marriage Week – 7-14
• Valentine’s Day – 14

March

• Women’s Month 

April 

• Stress Awareness Month
• National Couple Appreciation Month 

May 

• National Mental Health Awareness Month
• Older Americans Month
• Graduation
• Mother’s Day – 11

PRAISE

“Rita Lussier’s And Now, Back to Me is a loving, heartfelt journey of the empty nest: marriage, kids, career, aging parents and the warm embrace of community.”
– Matt Bombeck, Writer, Son of Erma Bombeck

“As someone who recently became an empty nester and is approaching retirement, I so appreciated reading about Rita’s journey through this challenging but invigorating time of life. Rita shows us how responsibilities will change, relationships will shift, opportunities will emerge, and she points out that we need to be prepared to be kind to ourselves as we navigate this uncharted territory. So much of what Rita shares resonates with my own experiences. Her insights helped me to face the future with optimism.”
– Cynthia Dawson Bonn, Dean of Admission, The University of Rhode Island

“And Now, Back to Me made me laugh, cry and most of all relate. This beautifully written memoir is a collection of essays that tell the story of every woman – or at least many of us – who combine career and family. It explores the mixed joy of reclaiming independence when the last child leaves the house and the ache of taking care of aging parents, all with honesty, insight and tenderness. A great read and a great gift for so many women you know. “
– Jan Brogan, author of The Combat Zone, Murder, Race and Boston’s Struggle for Justice, Final Copy, and The Hallie Ahern Mystery Series

“It feels like Rita has taken the hand of every mother, to reassure us that even when our kids are fully grown, we get to keep growing too.”
– Liz Gumbinner, Writer, Creative Director, former Editor-in-Chief Cool Mom Picks

“With the wit and warmth of Erma Bombeck, Rita Lussier brings us a collection of heartfelt, relatable, and often hilarious stories from the world of the empty nest. If you’ve ever looked at your once-bustling home and wondered what’s next, this book is for you. Writing with a perfect balance of humor and insight, And Now, Back to Me captures the ups and downs of rediscovering yourself after the kids leave, from the odd joys of an empty house to unexpected adventures of self-discovery.

Like the columns you’d look forward to in The Providence Journal, each story is funny, thoughtful, and filled with that perfect touch of real life that makes you feel like you’re not alone. Reading this collection is like hanging out with a good friend – warm, welcoming, and full of laughs – as though you’re sitting down for coffee together, sharing stories and life’s little surprises. Having first met years ago through the Reading with Robin radio show, I’ve long admired Rita Lussier’s gift for connecting with readers, and I’m thrilled to see her share these stories in this delightful collection. A must-read for anyone navigating (or soon to be navigating) the empty nest, this book is a reminder that life after the kids is just the beginning.”
– Robin Kall, Creator of Reading with Robin

“The bittersweet emotions of letting go of our grown children are nothing new, but journalist Rita Lussier refreshes those familiar feelings with sharp, clear-eyed humor, insight, and uncommon grace. In her words, parents see where they have been and where nature insists that they go.”
– Jacquelyn Mitchard, Author Deep End of the Ocean

“Rita Lussier has the gift of taking the ordinary events of our lives, be it a daughter’s return on college break, the illness of a pet, dinner with a spouse or coffee with a friend, and writing about them in an extraordinary way that allows us to feel them fresh as an early morning run.”
– Joel Rawson, Former Executive Editor of The Providence Journal

“Rita Lussier’s poignant memoir, And Now, Back to Me, offers a revealing, intimate look into life’s crossroad moments and the choices that define us. It’s a captivating read about the power of shaping the life you desire. With emotional honesty and reflection, she takes the reader on a journey of the heart.”
– Teri Rizvi, Director of the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop and Author of One Heart with Courage: Essays and Stories

“And Now, Back to Me will resonate with any woman experiencing the many changes that come with our midlife stretch –the pull of children and partners, aging parents, society, and our expectations of ourselves. Through beautiful, authentic, and occasionally melancholic vignettes, Ms. Lussier encourages us to find joy in the everyday moments, in those around us, and especially in our own journeys, past, present, and future.”
– Amy Baumgartel Singer, Director of College Counseling, The Wheeler School, Providence, Rhode Island

“Just in time for my emptying nest, And Now, Back to Me inspired with its wit, optimism and wisdom. While anyone might enjoy Rita Lussier’s collection of stories, they are especially meaningful for those contending with the empty nest, aging bodies, ailing parents and, perhaps, more time on our hands. These personal stories invite us to get to know ourselves in new ways, reinvent our lives and careers, and choose how we spend our time in the meaningful next stage of life.”
– Lisa Tener, Author of the Stevie-Award-winning Breathe. Write. Breathe.; 18 Energizing Practices to Spark Your Writing and Free Your Voice