Dear Irving, 

I met you 41 years ago, in 1967, when Leslie and Margaret Fiedler brought me over to your house on for dinner. Your mom and dad were visiting from Coney Island, and Carmen and little Fernando were in top form. Your family embraced me, and I embraced them, and ever since I've been blessed to have you as a lifelong friend. 

Here's what I admire about you: your devotion as a dad; your deep loyalty to all those you love;your musical and wonderfully inventive poetry; your incorruptible individuality; your tough-minded tenacity.

I'm thrilled and inspired that, at 80, you're still going strong. 

Much love, David