91 - Jacqueline KENNEDY (1929–1994)

Jacqueline KENNEDY (1929–1994) Jacqueline KENNEDY ONASSIS (1929–1994). L.A.S. “Jackie,” Friday evening [London, February 22, 1985], to Alice ORMSBY-GORE; 4 pages, in-8 format, on letterhead from The Ritz, Piccadilly, London, in a stamped envelope (stained, torn); in English. A beautiful, lengthy letter of condolence upon the death of William David ORMSBY-GORE, 5th Baron Harlech (1918–1985), who died in a car accident on January 26, 1985. Lord Harlech served as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States from 1961 to 1965 and was a close friend of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy; after Kennedy’s assassination, he became a close friend of his widow, to whom he proposed marriage; and he tried in vain to prevent Jackie’s marriage to Onassis. Jackie Kennedy writes to Lord Harlech’s daughter—the one she knows best among all the Harlech children—but it is also to her that she finds it hardest to write, for there are so many unspoken implications between them, as there were during their recent phone conversation. Yet so many fond memories come flooding back to her; and after all these years, she believes that only love can heal—the feeling of love, the memory of love, love itself… She remembers Alice’s delightful and amusing presence when her parents would take her to the White House to play with Caroline, who was six years younger and adored her… She recalls the 1962 America’s Cup races: that day, Jack [J.F.K.] and Harlech were on the beach in Newport with Caroline and Alice, and to entertain them, Jack started a contest where the two children had to fetch seawater and bring it back in their hands. Jackie will never forget the resigned look on Alice’s face as she let her father and Jack talk—a true good sport! She recalls a quote from *Out of Africa*, which shows that no one realizes they’re at the peak of their life when they actually are. Such was the case with Jack and Harlech, at the height of their power and happiness: they had it all. Jack could never have been who he was without the influence of Alice’s father… Then their luck ran out: they would have loved to live on, but they were spared the sadness, illness, and loneliness of old age. That’s how we’d all like to leave this world: happy, full of life, without lingering—as was the case with Sissie, David, Bobby, and Jack—but it’s harder for others. But the most important thing is the children, so that they can live meaningful lives without them… She assures Alice that she’ll always be there for her—to help her, comfort her, guide her, or even have fun, because we mustn’t forget to enjoy ourselves!... “My dear, dear Alice—Of all the Harlech children, I know you best. And I find it the hardest to write to you—because so much is understood between us—and putting it into words brings back pain. […] But so many memories come flooding back. I think, after all these years of reflection, that the only thing that heals is love. Love felt, love remembered, love now. What a delightful, mischievous presence you were whenever your mother and father and Jack and I were together, and you were brought along to play with Caroline—who was about six years younger and had such a crush on you. Jack and I were captivated by you, and Sissie and David were so delighted to have you with them. […] the America’s Cup races in 1962. Jack and your father were on the sand at the beach in Newport with you and Caroline […] Jack came up with this contest—you’d both run 100 yards to the sea and bring back water in your cupped hands, and whoever brought back the most would win! I’ll never forget the look on your face—you knew it was rigged for a 5-year-old so that Jack could chat with your father. […] Those were the times David and Jack shared—but no one realizes that when they’re all at the height of their powers and so happy. Jack could never have been who he was without your father’s long-standing influence. Your father needed no one to make him who he was. Then came all those losses due to chance. They were the fortunate ones—though they would have loved to live longer—but they were spared all the sadness, sickness, and loneliness of old age. You think: that’s the way one would like to go—happy, in the prime of life, not knowing what happened, not lingering. - For Sissie and David, Bobby and Jack—it isn’t so easy for all of us. But you know that what would matter most to them is their children—that they’ll be able to lead meaningful lives without them. That’s what we can do for them. Please know that I’m always here for you; if I can ever be of help, comfort, guidance, or just some fun—we must not forget that »…