Since we lived on opposite coasts, my childhood memories of your mom 
are mostly from the pictures and stories my parents told.  My dad, 
Paul, really loved her, and tried to look out for her from long 
distance.  Around the time I was born (I think) he brought her out 
to LA to stay with them for a summer.  She was about 21 at the time, 
and I think that's when my mother got close to her.  She followed 
your and your family's life pretty closely, and I remember how we 
ached for all of you w hen your dad passed.  She and Sol held a very 
special place in our sense of family.

My family and I visited Betty and Norbert in 1978.  I remember her as 
sharply intelligent and excited by intelligent energy, and family. 
She was generous and helpful with me at a time when I needed it, and 
I've always appreciated her for that.& nbsp; The most lingering 
feeling, though, was the palpable sense of connection when she spoke 
of her brothers, and Myrtle.  From the time I was little they all 
seemed to share a deep well, a deep bond, that I believed was what 
family was about.  My formative experiences were special, and have 
left my adult years, which have been so different, with a sense that 
the family feelings the Steins/Rechts/Goldbergs dwelt in are 
extremely rare, and precious.

My thoughts will be with all of you today.  When the band comes 
together for practice today I'll play a song for her, a 500-year old 
melody called Nhemamusasa, which means temporary shelter.   Take 
care.

Love, Richard