Friday, November 24, 2017
Dear Penelope, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. You do not need me to tell you and your siblings what a giant of the legal world he was. I am truly saddened to learn that he is gone. I miss your brother every day. I often tell my kids stories about my old friend, Saul. I remember one occasion when Saul insisted that I come to London and to sleep overnight at your parents' old house on Victoria. I doubt your mom would remember it, but I do--very well. Your parents were both very gracious to me. I distinctly recall having breakfast with your dad and Saul on Saturday morning--your dad sitting at the kitchen table reading his paper. Your mom asked if I had slept well. She mentioned that the bed I had slept in had also been slept in by Lord Denning when he was their houseguest when he came to commemorate the sesquicentennial (or some such occasion) of the Middlesex County Law Association. Clearly, she expected me to be impressed that I had slept in the same bed as Lord Denning. She was not amused when I expressed my hope that, in the meantime, she had changed the bedding. But, your dad had a good laugh! The formulaic closing is for me to express my wish that you and your family be spared further pain. Of course, we never are spared that--it is an unavoidable and recurring part of the condition we call "life". I hope, at least, that you are spared further pain for a long, long time. My most sincere condolences to you and your family. Alan
