It seems a million miles have fallen behind
me since I wrote to Walter Lord at the age of
12 and received a very detailed reply. The
subsequent letters held treasured answers for
me. The adult I am today is grateful for the
journey his book took me on, over and over
again; that night truly lives on for me as
for many. The adult I am today sorrows for the
long suffering endured by a man who gave such
joy to so many. And while that book brought
me joy and pain of my own, the child in me
wishes I could crack that volume once again
as a new beginning. I reflect that as many
discoveries have fallen my way during my own
research of Titanic, I must always remember
the pleasure my first Titanic correspondent
had each time I would identify an unknown
face in his book.
Perhaps he saw a little something in this
little person who had one hundred million
questions to ask. Whatever caused him to
take the time to write to me, I will be forever
appreciative.
God speed, Walter Lord. Teacher, author,
writer, inspiration.
