Dear Benjamin,

Thank you for your letter. I wish for you and your girl friend that you
have a happy and safe winter vacation in Utah. My own enthusiasm for
cross-country skiing, many, many years ago, not out West,
but in northern New Hampshire, continues to flicker in my memory.

I answer your question, how I am: I consider myself very fortunate
to be able to ignore the limitations of my walking, and otherwise
to spend my days and nights in solitude, alone, freed from the
daily humiliation of being a nuisance. The failing memory makes
days, weeks and months pass very quickly. Some days I write from
morning til night, often surprised by what I had on my mind only a
few days ago, relieved that I am now at an age (90.5) where nothing
matters.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Jochen