This essay has brought me such happiness, well done, and I have to respond for several reasons.

First of all, before finding this, I had just finished reading the chapter in Tobias Wolff’s “Old School” about Robert Frost and was charmed by the fictional account of the old man which reminded me that I have a friend who wrote a book about Frost that I would like to read (but haven’t yet because I’m not a very good friend) and also reminded me to read Frost again. Then I found this, where you have, happily, sung the praises of Frost. So — must read Frost again, must read friend’s book about Frost — thanks for that.

Secondly, your Voltaire reference reminded me of Borges’ poem, The Just, whose first line is, “A man who cultivates his garden, as Voltaire wished.” (Read it, it’s lovely.) I went scurrying around searching for this thing that I knew existed and finally found it (yay!), confirming that my mind is not completely useless. You’ve happily reminded me that I’m still capable of memory. And you’ve reminded me of this beautiful little poem. Thanks for that.

And, finally, your wonderful account is so close to home. I sent it to the husband, off working in the proverbial mines, knowing that he would love it and he did. He sent a short email that read, “Invite him to ‘the party’. We can show each other our mutiflora rose scars.”

So, happily, you are on the invite list! This is a list in progress, growing for at least two decades now. There are some wonderful names on it — Tom Waits, Arundhati Roy, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, William Shakespeare (dying to see who shows up), Louis C.K., Lucille Ball, Zora Neale Hurston, Noam Chomsky, Richard Feynman — you get the idea. Some names are in dispute (Mozart, for instance, has been considered but I’m worried that he’s an arrogant brat —same for Zappa. But arrogant brats could provide interest). I’d like to invite Hildegard von Bingen, but am worried she wouldn’t come. Lucretia Mott could, likewise, reject the whole affair. We should probably now add Frost and Borges to the list. Oh, and Hilary Mantel. And Karl Ove Knausgård.

Anyway, there are hundreds on this party list and now you are included. Bring the Boss, of course. I’ll let you know when we have the details ironed out. Looking forward to it! And thanks again, so very much, for this gift.