69 Comments
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Douglas Brouwer's avatar

I loved this. One line made me laugh out loud: "I expect to be buried next to my husband, and near two other couples we were close friends with—the ultimate triple date."

Sari Botton's avatar

That made me laugh, too.

Alison Krupnick's avatar

I have admired Judith Viorst for decades and this reminded me why. Another oldster with a great attitude.

W. R. Dunn's avatar

One of the best summaries ever of human life and aging:

“What has aging given you? Taken away from you?

“a) I’m certainly not as dumb as I used to be. b) People I love keep dying.”

Thank you.

Erika Andersen's avatar

This may be my favorite oldster interview so far - thank you, Sari! And please thank Judith: what a funny, loving, powerful person she is. I feel inspired to meet the day -

Susan Weis-Bohlen's avatar

Sari I so hope you will publish a book one day comprised of these interviews. They are fascinating snapshots of our world. I especially love what each person feels will happen when they die, and their perspective on life so far. You’ve got such treasures here.

Sari Botton's avatar

Working on an anthology proposal…Thank you!

Your Mind Matters's avatar

Thanks for responding to my comments. I was able to go back and play the video you posted of Judith Virost's talk for SS 100th B-day.It was deliteful. Also, I love your bubbly energy; it made the event totally enjoyable.

John Hammond's avatar

We have read your Alexander books to our children and kept up with your books on reaching new ages and stages of your life. You are a gem and I love your attitude about carrying on and making the best of things. I can identify with the medical issues with aging. We love you for making our lives richer.

Wini Moranville's avatar

It’s wonderful pieces like this that make me happy to pay to subscribe to your work, Sari! Thank you for this.

tina jacobson's avatar

I hate when people tell women of a certain age that they're AMAZING. but you are, amazing. tap me if you want a new friend.

happy birthday!

Rona Maynard's avatar

I’ve been nodding and smiling along with Judith Viorst since she was a columnist for Redbook in the early 70s. Her book NECESSARY LOSSES is like a long, searching and unforgettable conversation with a wise older friend who understands that no one is ever truly grown up. The new book sounds like the continuation I need now, at 75. I’ve just ordered the audiobook for the pleasure of her voice.

Deborah Sosin's avatar

Upbeat and inspiring! Can't wait to read the book.

Ruth Pennebaker's avatar

What a great pleasure to read this gifted, funny author's take on the world! She almost gave me as much pep this morning as the election in Wisconsin.

Sari Botton's avatar

Me, too. It's a good combo!

Andy Minshew's avatar

This was fascinating. I hope to live half as rich of a life as her once I get to 94.

Deborah K. Shepherd's avatar

How lovely that you are still imparting your wit and wisdom, Ms. Viorst. I am convinced that my much older boyfriend (and later husband) and I were the inspiration for A Lot to Give Each Other, your poem published by New York Magazine in 1970. I reread it every once in awhile. Thank you for that, and for making Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good…a book I didn’t mind reading over, and over, and over again to our two children.

Jenn Schuessler's avatar

Loved this interview. Have a lot of empathy about the driving. My dad jumped the median and side swapped a row of trees before he relinquished his keys. For him, it was giving up a lot of his independence. 🥺

Jennifer Covell's avatar

I need to bottle some of that perspective for my mom. I was a publicist at S&S in the 1980s and it always seemed like one of Judy’s books was on the verge of being published.