In his retirement Val J. Littman, discovered an author within. At first, it was just his annual Christmas Letters, then newsletters from retirement to family and friends. But those turned into the first book, Bright Sun and Long Shadows; a candid reflection on the glorious and gruesome realities of creating a new life in France. As it turned out, that story was only partially told, and a second book was born to complete the story of twelve years of life in France; Le Petit Jardin de L’âme — Little Garden of the Soul, more than a place, it is a state of grace in mind and heart.

Val’s third book is actually a “prequel” to the first two. Constellations at Twilight began as a response to the often-requested story of how Val met his wife Linda. But, like many of Val’s projects, this grew beyond its original intent and became a reflective, and inspirational, biography.

Born in 1948, Val is among the Baby-Boomer generation that has often pushed the social-cultural envelope, crossing over to living their lives in new ways. Retirement at age 53, while a product of good planning and good luck, also opened the possibility that a “third age” of life could conceivably be as long, or longer than his professional work-life. And so, the story of how we got to where we are now, became important. In this book, Val shares his early life, and young adult years, through to his “middle-years” in a way that goes beyond the usual memoire. Yes, Constellations at Twilight is autobiographical, but is enlightened by his personal spirituality, seminary education, years as a priest and psychotherapist, and his life in corporate America, to provide for the reader, a base for reflection on their own present and future. As a reader, join Val in his journey and you may find your way to see your own life-path differently than you had expected. Life events, with introspective commentary and quotes of inspiration make the story jump off the page to awaken your heart, perhaps to look at your world in a new way.

Now, twenty years into retirement, and international living, Val and his wife, Linda, call the Republic of Panama home; and the “Panama Adventure” part of the story has yet to be told.