Through the prayers and poems in Vessels of Love, Joyce Rupp addresses a variety of topics related to the last decades of life. Little has been written in regard to the transformative journey of this aging population. The book includes topics related to the acceptance of physical changes, lessening of energy, loss of peers due to death, a growing serenity, expanding gratitude, the joy of grandparenting, self-compassion, reasons for lamenting and for rejoicing. A spirit of kinship, consolation, and reassurance regarding the journey of Elderhood weaves throughout the book. While the content focuses primarily on the experience of older adults, newly retired and younger persons will find many of these creative prayers and poems also speak to their lives.

Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, spiritual midwife, international retreat leader and conference speaker. She is the author of over thirty bestselling books on topics as diverse as grief, midlife spirituality, prayers for every occasion, reflections on nature, and a memoir of her walk of 450 miles across northern Spain. While writing remains her first love, she also serves as a consultant to the Boundless Compassion program which she founded in 2007, as well as companioning others as a spiritual guide. Joyce Rupp is a member of the Servite (Servants of Mary) community and was a volunteer for Hospice for fifteen years. She resides in West Des Moines, Iowa.