TIME
Murray Friedlander
91
“... if you don’ t laugh in life, you may as well not be here.”
I’ m 91. I was born in Harlem. I have two children – a daughter and a son – and if ever the time comes, they’ re my support. Otherwise, I support myself. I buy, sell, and repair clocks. I’ ve been doing it since I was twelve, and that’ s for real. It’ s not work, it’ s really something to keep my mind clear. It seems like yesterday when I started.
I find that honesty is the best policy, and I’ ve been that way all my life. I don’ t believe in lying. There are no shenanigans. When I deal with people, I don’ t say,“ Well this guy’ s got a lot of money, so I’ m going to hit him hard.” I don’ t believe in it. Never did, never will. I also believe that if you don’ t laugh in life, you may as well not be here.
I guess I’ m just one of the lucky ones, because I’ m still here at my age. The man upstairs protects me, and I’ m careful, so I protect myself too. If the good lord takes me tomorrow, that’ s how it would be. I’ m satisfied. I have no complaints.