In Praise of Art Buchwald

Art Buchwald died yesterday.

He wrote a final column to be published following his death. In it he wrote, “I think of a song lyric, ‘What's it all about, Alfie?’ I don't know how well I've done while I was here, but I'd like to think some of my printed works will persevere -- at least for three years.

I know it's very egocentric to believe that someone is put on earth for a reason. In my case, I like to think I was. And after this column appears in the paper following my passing, I would like to think it will either wind up on a cereal box top or be repeated every Thanksgiving Day.
So, ‘What's it all about, Alfie?’ is my way of saying goodbye.

The following Morning Memo was first sent on April 1, 2006….

IN PRAISE OF ART BUCHWALD

In April 2004, the humorist Art Buchwald was featured on PBS’s NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Buchwald is in a Washington, D.C., hospice. He is living large, you might say. Buchwald has always been a funny man. He isn’t funny in a Jerry Seinfeld way, but rather more like Will Rogers. He reflects on the obvious, points out the ludicrous, and knocks down the pompous.
Two things he said were striking. First he spoke of people who believe dying is “going somewhere,” like heaven. Buchwald said, “Where I’m going is less important than what I’m doing.” I like that. He also said that he and his family had carefully planned a “terrific service. It could be a hot ticket.” I know I would pay to be there.

Buchwald is eighty, dying, and looks it. He chose not to undergo dialysis for the rest of his life. He said, “I had two decisions: Continue dialysis, and that’s boring to do three times a week, and I don’t know where that’s going; or I can just enjoy life and see where it takes me.”

His smile was large, his eyes aglow, and his thoughts clear and simple. He knows something important … something about living and dying … something about laughing, and not being too serious, even about the most serious thing of all. As he once wrote, “Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got.”

I have a lot to learn …

Art Buchwald

1925 -2007