29 by Adena Halpern, 2010

This is a charming, witty story about a 75-year-old grandmother, Ellie, who receives her birthday wish to be 29, the same age as her granddaughter.

The story unfolds from the view point of three women - Ellie, Ellie's daughter and Ellie's close friend, Frida.

The reason the story works is because Halpern captures Ellie's and Frida's septuagenarian musings and gripes perfectly.

Ellie and Frida are frustrated that their bodies no longer respond as they used to where they tire after walking a block, and that people consciously and unconsciously treat them as "old".  

The third voice is that of Ellie's daughter, Barbara, who has always been on the heavier side and similar to the other two characters, has been trapped by limitations of her body as well as what others project onto her.

Ultimately, regardless of age (or body weight), people want to feel appreciated, challenged and loved.

As Ellie lives out her magical day, she realizes that her imagined regrets are unfounded, the life she builds yourself each day matters, and she needs to live life without looking back.

The other two characters also come to this realization as they imagine life without the "missing" Ellie.

I tend to jot down quotes that I like.  Some quotes from 29:
* Always have confidence.  It gets you everywhere.
* Barbara, whatever has been bugging you your whole life, get over it!
* It's a lesson I've learned - enjoy the things you have.