In 1997, I met E.L. Doctorow at NYU. He taught me a great deal, not only about writing and editing but also about patience, and focus, and taking risks, and kindness, and good humor, and discipline, and humility. In his novel Billy Bathgate, Doctorow used “Bye Bye Blackbird” to transition through time and memory and show how death can connect us. I will miss his words and wisdom. I will be singing this song today.