Dear Lauren

Happy  birthday to you. Here is my (so far) regular birthday let-
ter to you.  For various reasons, I have  decided  not  to  write
about family history this time - not our family history, that is.
One reason is because, quite frankly, I'm running out  of  family
history  to  write  about. Another is that it seems to me that we
should broaden  our exchanges a bit.  Perhaps 'exchange' is a bit 
of an  overstatement,  since the only communication I've had from 
you is your 'Happy Santa' picture.

So this is what you're getting this time instead of family histo-
ry. First, a little explanation. Last weekend we had Internation-
al Holocaust Memorial Day. Incredibly, this  is  the  first  time
we've  had it in this country (and Europe-wide). I rather suspect
that US have had it for a long time - I don't know. Now, you know
that  I  spend a lot of time reading and thinking about Holocaust
matters and this time, for your birthday, I'm sending you a story
I've  written.  I  think I might try to have it published - we'll
see - but you are one of the very first to see it.

All you need to know is that Marcel Lipschitz was  a  real  young
boy.  A  lot of the story didn't happen, some of it did. I'm sure
you can sort it out for yourself.

Haven't sent you a birthday present. I have a good reason.  We'll
be  seeing you in a few weeks time and I thought it'd be more fun
if we could go out together and buy something. What do you think?

Have a lovely day

With very much love

Grandad