Books like Present Heart by Polly Young-Eisendrath

Polly Young‑Eisendrath recounts how a chance encounter on a 1969 flight led to a lasting partnership with her husband, Ed Epstein. Their 25‑year marriage, beginning in 1985, was marked by deep affection and shared ideals. In 2001, at the age of 53, Ed began showing early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Over the next decade, as his cognitive decline progressed, Polly grappled with the question of what constitutes love. Drawing upon her lifelong engagement with Buddhism, psychoanalytic theory, and the counsel of thinkers such as Abigail Thomas, Nancy McWilliams, and Shinzen Young, she offers a reflective meditation on the present moment and the ways intimate relationships can both challenge and illuminate our spiritual growth. The memoir presents a thoughtful exploration of how loving relationships—whether with a partner, parent, child, or friend—can serve as paths to understanding even amid the most difficult circumstances.

First publish date: 2018