He is beloved. And he’s my grandfather.

Alan,

This was, by no means, a discombobulated post. As a person who lost many loved ones at a young age, beginning with 14 of my grandmother’s siblings and family members in the Holocaust and my own father when I was twelve (certainly on the cusp, if not already leaning into, puberty), I can relate to all that you wrote. I grew up quickly and became the family historian, if you will. My grandmother never allowed me to write any names or stories down (left over flashback-stuff from hiding I believe) so committing everything to memory was all I could try to do. My father, on the other hand, loved the written word and reading. I still have an earlier pocket-style notebook he carried to write down ideas, proverbs and such. Throughout the years, I have become the eulogy-writer (mused over the idea that a Eulogies-R-US would probably do well) and more recently requested to sing favorite songs of those who have passed. It’s surreal and real all at the same time. It has made me a person who not necessarily lives each day as if it were my last (daily life-stuff often gets in the way of how I imagine that should be) but certainly is hyper-aware and knows that tomorrow is not promised to me or anyone I love. And that does carry a weight, feelings “lined with love and melancholy.” Not everyone reflects on it, you know, not until they are forced to…

I wish you time.

Cari

When I was in my late teens I met Alvin through a friend. My mom needed a lawyer and he was it.(thid was in nyc when he had offices on Fifth avenue.  In My early twenties, I kept in touch with him via the mail I was in the USAF and he made time in his very busy life t communicate with me, in my mind  he was counselor, my big brother. On his every word I listened out of great respect. After my discharge we had a luncheon date and when he heard that I was interested in a writing-prodcing caree in Hollywood he offered to give me an introduction to the firm of Lancaster, hill & Hecht, as a gofer to start, A that time I was accepted to UCLA. I never took him up on the offer. A few years later in represented mr as an attorney wnen I became in volved in a Mfg. firm. After my graduating from a college in Connecticut. I truly wish him well in hie longgivity of life. God Bles him and you all, his family.
josephderosa@optonline.net
     

Dear Alan,

I knew your grandfather only by telephone but he was one the kindest men I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with.  I worked in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court Probate Office in the late 90’s when I was fortunate enough to get his phone call. He was representing a client and needed assistance with Virginia probate law and our process. When the estate was finally wrapped up, your grandfather sent me a beautiful bracelet as a thank you gift. I was touched by his generousity, but even more so that he called me every year to either wish me a happy birthday or just to check up on how I was doing.  I lost touch with him when I left but have thought of him often over the years.  In fact, I still wear his bracelet to this day.  I know he passed away early this year and I am so sorry that I did not hear of it at the time.  It is clear though that his kindness and compassion is something that he has passed on.  You are so right, he was the most generous man and will forever impact the lives of those that he touched. May your life be as blessed as his obviously was.

Sincerely,

Angela Garrow (fka Angela McRae)

Alvin is his sister Beatrice?