And so, another year has swiftly come round, and here I am turning 85. I am grateful that I’ve lived this long and glad that I’ve spent my time on earth so productively. I have no intention of dying anytime soon--I’ve still so much to do. Here are some of the lessons that I’ve learned. We all make terrible mistakes, and I have specialized in doing so. I have lately spent too much time in regretting my stupidities, but I suggest that no one follows this foolish example. I fulfilled my destinies despite a very unhappy childhood (if you’re a writer, such a beginning is exceedingly instructive), despite poverty, despite growing up as a “girl” at a time when life, even in America, was like a fundamentalist country for girls. This is possible only if you’re born with God-given talents, a capacity to work hard, and an ability to sacrifice all else in order to obtain your goals. One must be prepared or simply able to live faced with enormous opposition. This is the truest measure of our power. We learn that we have influence, not by being applauded and rewarded, not even by becoming “famous,” but rather by the strength of our opposition. I am honored that I’ve been defamed and censored for my ideas--beginning with my radical feminist ideas in the late 1960s and for all my (allegedly) bold and prescient work in the 21st century. Finally, I realize that I’ve been blessed in so many ways. I have lived at the time in which Jews experienced a “golden age” in America; I’ve met, worked with, partied with, and learned from the most interesting people of ideas; I’ve have had some very good friends--alas, so many have already died or are lost to dementia; I have a supportive spouse; I have a wonderfully literary assistant; I’ve finished a new book and am editing my diaries (1959-1990), thus meeting my younger self for the first time; I’ve survived all kinds of medical miseries; but most of all, I’ve been allowed to live long enough to see my beloved son’s hair turn gray and white. Can you even begin to imagine what a blessing this is? When I woke up today, our dining table was adorned with birthday balloons--and then the most gorgeous flowers came. Here they are!

Yes, my birthdays have most always fallen on one of the High Holidays. Happy New Year to one and all and may we all be sealed in the Book of Life “for good.”