(Pieces from the interview of the Fresh Air show on December 29, 2011 by NPR were put together. H.)

I'm not unhappy becoming old

But it makes me cry when I see my friends go before me

It's harder for us non-believers 

But you know, something I'm finding out as I'm aging that I am in love with the world. 

As right now looking out from my window from my studio, I see my trees my beautiful hundreds of years old trees. They're beautiful.

I can take time to see how beautiful they are

It is a blessing to get old 

It is a blessing to find the time to do the thing to read the book to observe the beauty.

I'm not unhappy

But I cry a lot because I miss people 

I cry a lot because they die and I can't stop them 

They leave me and I love them more

There are so many beautiful things in the world which I will have to leave when I die, 

but I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready.

I'm an happy old man but I will cry all the way to my grave.

I wish you all the good things.

Live your life. Live your life. Live your life.