25th January, 1966

My dear Rita,

I know only too well how lost and hurt you must be feeling. There is, perhaps, nothing quite as sad as losing a loved child.

If your world seems empty just now and you find it desperately hard to redirect yourself, take comfort in the everyday demands your family make on you, because it is the day by day effort that will restore a sense of purpose.

Naturally this takes time but, meanwhile, your children will grow and will want you to participate fully in their lives. Hard as it may seem this is, in fact, your life line and you must hold on to it with both hands.

I shall write to you again soon. Nico joins me in sending you and Frank our deepest sympathy,

Love from Lore.