54 Comments
Mar 29, 2023Liked by Sari Botton

This was both gorgeous and genius. How do we get people to see us for who we truly are as we age? We must force them to. Irwin, I see you.

Expand full comment
Mar 29, 2023Liked by Sari Botton

This one really cheered me up. I laughed out loud and read a few choice answers to my husband, who also burst out laughing. I love the resolve in "I refuse to be condescended to" and the fire in "Are you old enough to remember what 'fuck you' means?" Thank you, Irwin Epstein!

Expand full comment

You have five years on me, sir, and you have gifted me with all manner of optimism. Thanks, and all good thoughts to your wife as well!

Expand full comment
founding

I’m so pleased. I love it that you call me “sir”. It’s not a condescending “sir” but a “sir” among equals. 85 is the best of times and the worst but the best is really the best. Thanks. IE

Expand full comment

Glad you took the "sir" exactly rightly!

Expand full comment
Mar 29, 2023Liked by Sari Botton

Loved this. And now I must try Burnt Basque Chocolate Cheesecake.

Expand full comment
Mar 29, 2023Liked by Sari Botton

Rock on Irwin! He is an example of the people I want to emulate as I enter senior-hood.

Expand full comment
Mar 29, 2023Liked by Sari Botton

What a beautiful, well-lived (and still going!) life!

Expand full comment

Thank you Irwin! I love the last line...

Expand full comment

Thank you Irwin..and I want to be the server behind the counter of that 50's diner...at 86.

We will keep a going, until we dont!

Expand full comment
founding

🍳🥓🥯🥞☕️ Table 4!

Expand full comment

nope - I wanna be behind the counter!

Expand full comment
Mar 29, 2023Liked by Sari Botton

honestly WOW! This is the best interview I've read in a long long time! What an awesome, emotionally intelligent guy. My heart goes out to Fran <3

Expand full comment
founding

Thank you for your kind thoughts Melanie.

Expand full comment
Mar 29, 2023Liked by Sari Botton

This was a perfect read for me this morning. My heart needed a lift and it got one.

Expand full comment

I laughed often reading this. Great way to start the day. Especially the response to the no response. I feel ya!!

Expand full comment

Excellent read, Mr. Epstein ❤️

Expand full comment
founding

Thanks Erik. Your name is remarkably familiar. Are you a family member no one ever told me about? Hmn? Thanks I’ll ask Dan.

Expand full comment

I am practically a part of your family, and honored to be so ❤️

Expand full comment
founding

I know, I know, there’s plenty of room.

Expand full comment

I loved this so much!!! Such an inspiration and such a gift. Thank you Irwin Epstein!

Expand full comment

I'll join the 85 club in a few weeks, and while my kitchen is relievedly closed, my heart is open wider than it has ever been! Loving wisely and patiently is indeed the work of this time in our lives. Thank you Irwin.

Expand full comment

So beautifully expressive, insightful and inspiring. If I'm ever 85 I want to be like Irwin, and hope I get behind that diner counter, too! And LOVE his non-philosophy about aging. May our "l'eau de vie" carry us to being more and more ourselves!

Expand full comment

I love Irwin dancing with Fran in matching rumpled T-shirts. And I love his perception of who he has become: “Like a fine old, but only borrowed viola to be played with nuance, tenderness and sometimes fire. And then returned.” In the meantime he’s getting more notes from the instrument, as we all have the opportunity to do with age.

Expand full comment