From Chris Bonney

Dear Willie,
We’ve never met, yet I feel like I know you. Ian Summers first told me about you. I’ve been hooked on your good nature, your illustrations and your wonderfully askew sense of humor ever since.

Speaking as someone who passed the 50-year mark long enough ago to not want to say just how long ago it was—though I’m still younger than Walt Taylor (a.k.a. Wally Torta a.k.a. Sparky Donatello a.k.a. Rueben Fletcher)!—I urge you not to look upon this juncture as something upsetting. Don’t worry that AARP has stepped up its attempts to draw you into its eternal flame. Rather, look upon this as the beginning of a time of life characterized by the freedom that comes from discarding a lot of stuff that isn’t, and never was, important. You can concentrate on the people and the things that mean the most to you. Nobody will care if you wear the same shirt three days in a row. Or that you mix up your socks. Or that your hair gets a little unruly. Or that gray hair starts popping out in places you never thought hair could grow. It doesn't hurt to drool a little when you need to stall because you can't remember the name of someone you've known all your life. Things like that are expected of you now. They’re all part of the patina of being an official grownup.

If all else fails, take comfort in the knowledge that you might qualify for the Senior Citizen discount at Kroger’s on Tuesdays. Don’t be ashamed to use it. Ensure ain’t cheap.

With the very best regards,
Chris Bonney