Science

...as long as I have, but you are certainly worthy of far more congratulations.

My late father-in-law, a physician, was also born in 1929. He lived to 86, but his parents were relatively well off inasmuch as they had food throughout the depression. He was fairly healthy until the last year.

My mother, one of 13 children, ten of whom lived to adulthood, died when she was 51. She was born in 1924, before the depression; I doubt that prenatal malnutrition was an issue for her.

I expect the young women of these times will prove to be a great generation. I don't feel sorry for them in the long term. Rather I feel sorry for those who seek to oppress them. Ultimately they will prove strong; I believe they won't go back.

I do not expect to live as long as you have, but as I approach the end of my life, I am filled with joy and gratitude for all that I have experienced, known, and loved. This is not a religious feeling; but rather, for lack of a better term, a spiritual one.

I trust and hope it is the same with you, that you have enjoyed the privilege of living as much as I have.