You asked about Lars. He’s getting quieter all the time, andwhen he does talk it’s almost always nonsense, and then sometimes he comes out with these magnificent statements and that’s like the sun breaking through on a cloudy day. As a matter of fact, you will get a kick out of this, last week at the breakfast table I refilled his coffee cup and he touched my arm, looked me right in the eyes, and said he was thinking of having coffee when we were on vacation in Bar Harbor in 1964 and I was wearing that yellow dress and big sunglasses, and there was an orange cat slinking around the table, and, Sybil, he was exactly right because when he said it, that morning did come back to me, just like he said, and even the year was right; we’d all five (you had Bruce, didn’t you? I think you were pregnant with Gilbert)—taken the train up. His face was clear, and it was like it was five years ago, the old Lars, so I tried to keep him there, but it only lasted a moment. Between the two of them, I’m exhausted and it feels lonely, even though I’m with one or both of them all the time. I certainly did not see this coming—caring for husband and son as if they were toddlers or less until the end of time.
Listen to me complain. Forgive me.
BIG BEN.
Of course I hear from Daan, but I’m not getting into that now. Paul’s stirring. Please fill me in on Bruce, how his work is going, etc., the children.
I am reading Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner. Did you already read this? Miss you. My best to dear Bruce. And my best to Trudy and Millie—
Love, Rosalie
(Oh! Almost forgot to mention: how is Theodore Lübeck? Would also like an update on your vision if you feel like giving one.)
Sybil Van Antwerp
17 Farney Rd
Arnold MD 21012
Feb 18
Sybil,
It was excellent to finally make the acquaintance of Judge Donnelly’s famed work wife. For years I’ve heard mention of your name, people surprised we didn’t know each other. And then to meet you only to find you were there working away behind the scenes when I was representing Evansberg in the Eastern Shore property suit. I guess we were in a revolving door at the same moment in time. I confess I arranged my schedule in order to meet you at the service, and my plan worked. I’d also like to add here that your remarks were very well done, what the career alongside Guy was to you and for you. I was fascinated by your articulation of what drew you to the practice of law. I was moved, and I am rarely moved. It’s a wonderfully amusing thing when a woman can deliver a good punch line and keep a straight face.
Now I would give you a call, but I have it on good authority that you are a woman of correspondence (and I am interested to know how it is, or why it is, you have maintained so quaint and impractical a practice), so I’ve dug out this stationery to write you a letter instead. I will be visiting friends in Baltimore in two months, starting mid-April. Would you please join me for dinner on April 29 at the Capitol House in Annapolis at seven o’clock? It will be good fun to swap stories. I won’t take no for an answer—
Mick Watts
478 Chester Place
Houston TX 77055
Sybil Vanantwerp
17 Farney Rd.
Arnold, MD 21012
18 Feb. 2013
To: Sybil Vanantwerp, chief clerk for Judge Guy Donnelly
They buried him. They waited a long time. I bet you were there. I was looking for the details for months and then it was in the newspaper the next day February 16. Do you want to know what I did? I drove all the way to the church four and a half hours from me. It’s a big graveyard, but I found him. There was a security guard so I pretended to be paying tribute. The guard turned around to give me privacy, and I spit on it. Guy D. Donnelly FAMILY MAN AND PATRIOT. I spit on the gravestone and I will do the same to yours.
Sincerely,
DM
Liz Donnelly
733 Oak Tree Lane
Frederick, MD 21703
February 18, 2013
Dear Liz,
