Sunday, December 26, 2021
Today is actually Sunday which is good because I have thought it was Sunday since Friday. With the holidays falling as they did this year, I was constantly mixed up as to the day of the week. Yesterday, I reminded my Wife of the time so that she would not miss the only television show she really likes and watches regularly——-“Sunday Morning”. Only problem is that it was Saturday morning. Oh well.
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David Boies IV reminded me that our annual Christmas trip which begins today is our 34th consecutive trip of two families. That is kind of remarkable don’t you think? I met David Boies the first week of law school in September 1962 and we have never been mad at each other. We have a remarkable friendship that is really indescribable -- so I will not even try.
Hopefully, when we the two patriarchs (and payors) in our respective families go to that great courtroom in the sky, a member of each of our families will find a way to continue the tradition, but neither David nor I can ever know despite his genius.
I think it was yesterday that our daughter Beth, who is the coordinator of this annual vacation, told me that I could never die. I hate disappointing her but…… I am reminded that Charlie Munger, now 97, said that he only wanted to know one thing: where he is going to die, so that he just won’t go there. What would I do if the answer for me were “Las Vegas? I guess go to Reno.
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I have no more birthday checks to write for a couple of months and all my annual charitable donations have been made. I hope that all of you, no matter what your financial circumstances, give something to those less fortunate
My first legal mentor was Stanley Beckerman,. He was a phenomenal lawyer and he helped me in so many ways, you would not believe it if I told you, so I will not. When I asked him how I could repay him, he said “just be charitable”. When I really had nothing, in fact, bankrupt by the legal definition, I went to the bank to borrow $5000 to give to charity. You do not have to be that crazy, but please help others.
I cringe when I hear “charity starts at home”. It starts there but should not end there. I confess that the first time I look at a new client’s tax returns, before I look at anything else, I look at charitable donations and that is how I initially judge the character of the client
I end this small lecture with a true story I always liked. A friend of mine was solicited for a charitable donation by a very distinguished man, allegedly the wealthiest in our area. He pressed very hard. My friend responded along these lines: “Sir, do you expect me to give you more respect than I give my own Father”? The response was “Of course not,” to which my friend responded, “Well, I would not let my own Father tell me what to do with my money”.
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I will miss the New England v Buffalo game, or at least the first half, driving to Marco Island but I really have no choice.
Hope you all gave a nice day.
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