What Happens When You Hit 80 and Publish the Book You Wrote at 60?

What do you do when you’re on the brink of 60, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and suddenly aware that life’s ticking clock just got a little louder? If you’re Mary Jayne White—a veteran teacher and media specialist—you write it all down, with honesty, courage, and a sharp sense of humor. Then, two decades later, just before turning 80, you publish it on Amazon.

Enter Be Careful When You Sneeze!: Aging Ain’t Fun—a laugh-out-loud, tear-jerking, faith-filled memoir that’s already striking a chord with readers who know the aches, surprises, and unexpected joys that come with aging. With whimsical illustrations by Corey Carlson and stories that range from hilarious to deeply human, this is not your ordinary book on growing older.

“Nobody wants to read a depressing book about aging,” says White. “So I didn’t write one.”

Instead, she wrote about real life. About the invisible signs of aging no one warns you about. About falling at school and learning the name of the disease that had been quietly tagging along for years. And yes, about sneezing—because, as anyone over 50 knows, even that can become dangerous territory.

From the Hall Closet to the Bookshelf
Since the essays on aging were originally written as a gift for her son, White ran off a copy for her son Steven, one for herself, and a couple to share with friends. Her copy of the book languished in the hall closet for almost 20 years when a former student (Class of ’72) came for a visit. After White mentioned having written a book years ago, he asked how to order it. Going to the closet, White produced her copy of the book in a 3-ring binder. After reading through a few pages, her visitor asked if he could take this copy home to an editor friend of his. This one conversation sparked the book’s release.

“He thought it would be the perfect gift for my 80th birthday,” White shares. “So, we published it.”

Readers are glad she did. One woman said she started the book feeling low—and was laughing out loud by page three. Another reader ordered ten copies to give to coworkers. Why? Because Be Careful When You Sneeze! doesn’t just talk about aging. It celebrates it—with grit, grace, and unapologetic joy.

And there’s more. The published version includes a powerful epilogue—written twenty years after the original manuscript—that brings readers up to speed on White’s life, the unexpected turns it took, and the new strength she discovered along the way.

When Life Gives You MS, Write a Book About It
Diagnosed at 57, White didn’t let her condition define her. In fact, her son—then in med school—reminded her that she’d already traveled the world with MS. So, she kept going. Kept writing. Kept living.

“I want readers to see themselves in these pages,” White says. “To feel less alone in the struggle and more willing to laugh at the absurdity of it all.”

And when life throws her physical challenges? She adapts. “I’ve learned how to unload heavy Amazon boxes one item at a time. I’ve learned to love my butterfly-covered cane. I have learned that pretending to duel a stranger at the doctor’s office with said cane is a great way to make a new friend.”

Aging with Humor, Healing, and a Whole Lot of Heart
Every chapter ends with a prayer. Every story offers a truth. And every reader, regardless of age, walks away with the same reminder: growing old isn’t easy, but it sure can be beautiful.

“This book is a love letter to anyone who’s ever looked in the mirror and thought, ‘Who is that?’” White laughs. “Aging ain’t fun—but it’s not the end of the world. In fact, it’s the start of some of the best chapters.”

Whether you’re 40, 60, or 80, this is the book you didn’t know you needed. It’s comforting. It’s courageous. It’s wonderfully human—and full of surprises you’ll want to read all the way through.

Be Careful When You Sneeze!: Aging Ain’t Fun
Now available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/iAjhCQv
Paperback: 168 pages: ISBN: 979-8346495369
Author: Mary Jayne White
Illustrated by Corey Carlson

For interviews, features, or review copies, contact:
Veritas Ink & Press
📧 inquiry@veritasinkandpress.com

Contact Information

Mary Jayne White

Author

Veritas Ink & Press LLC

inquiry@veritasinkandpress.com