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Herman Wouk died today at the age of 103.
That in itself is a chance for hanging on for a while.
Its telling that Wouk picked these out for immortality; he always wrote for the masses.
Members of my synagogue came in and danced around a bit, and then I went back to work.
I asked him why he had called himself, in his very late-life quasi-memoir, a cheerful centenarian.
He gave a circuitous answer with an upbeat ending Wouk all the way:
Well,centenarianneeds no explanation.
Setting aside the infirmities that come with it, its a great time of life.
I wake up every day and Im thankful to the Lord.
Ive arrived here, four arms and legs, eyes still working, ears still working.
That there is a reason to be cheerful if one thinks about it.
As for the infirmities, thats part of the game.
Its very hard to be cheerful nowadays if you want to get to the depth of it.
I have a grandson whos very concerned about sustainable development.
For those who think about it, its very sobering.
In any case, its not a question of forcing good cheer.
Its a persons nature.
