These 4 New Yorkers Are Experts in Living. What Do They Know That We Don’t?

In 2015, we began following six people over age 85.

Last year the four remaining showed that old age is not what you think.

• John Leland
• The New York Times

Nearly four years ago, I began following six people over age 85 to see what their lives were like: what kept them going, what they hoped for or feared.

This past year, I asked Jonas Mekas, now 96, about death and the afterlife.

The question had particular resonance.

In summer Mr. Mekas had been hospitalized for a blood disorder that was still mysterious to his doctors.

It was the first sign in four years that he was mortal.

He canceled a…

• These 4 New…