The Old Guard Book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. In the beginning of the book we are introduced to John Warren Sr. After the death of his wife, he is in a state of depression and has given up on life. He is now living with his son, an attorney, and daughter-in-law in Tulsa. Although he is still mentally sharp, because of his depression he is withdrawn and seems to be senile, practically acting like an invalid to all except his twin granddaughters.

Two things then happen which goads him into action. He learns that his best friend has recently died, and his son informs him that they will soon be placing him in a nursing home. John Sr., who is over 80 years old, now decides to "run away from home," and on a snowy winter day, John packs his bag and walks out the door. As he is leaving, he sees an RV driven by an attractive middle-aged woman, Attie, which seems to be stuck against the curb of the icy street unable to get any traction. After helping the woman free her RV, she offers to give him a ride, and his adventure back into the world of the living begins. John wants to go to Hot Springs, Arkansas, to what he considers the "Magic Fountain." Attie is on her way home to Eureka Springs.

Of course, John's son soon discovers him missing, calls the police, and a full-scale search is initiated for the "senile" elderly man who has wandered out of his house in a snowstorm. Although it quickly becomes apparent that John Sr. is not senile and has voluntarily left, his son will not accept this fact and stop the police manhunt. We are now drawn into the lovely tale of an elderly "runaway" who has the adventure of his life and in the process learns that he can again enjoy love and life as he once did, reminding us that the "Magic Fountain of Youth" is really in our minds.