Let's make this birthday one to remember.

79 years old (Born on April 30, 1945)

Happy Birthday, Annie Dillard! May your day be as delightfully profound and wonderfully unpredictable as a stroll through Tinker Creek. Your Pulitzer Prize-winning insights have taught us to see the extraordinary in everyday moments—though admittedly, we're still working on spotting caterpillars with quite your level of enthusiasm.

From capturing childhood adventures in "An American Childhood" to exploring life's mysteries in "For the Time Being," you've guided readers gracefully through nature's wonders and human complexities alike. Here's hoping this birthday brings you joy brighter than fireflies at dusk—and fewer existential questions (at least until tomorrow). Cheers to another year illuminating our world!