Hello Alan! I wish I've had more courage to write to you while you were still here. Now that I do, it's been ten years since you left and maybe it was your time, still it feels too soon. The same year I've lost my grandma, the woman that brought me up and influenced the person I would become, but not all was dull and gloomy that year, I finally enrolled in the college of fine arts and graduating it with flying colors, continued with my masters degree. Now I am just a plain art teacher, and freelance artist but it is what I wanted to become. The first time I "met" you was 30 years ago as Colonel Brandon, I was 13 and it was my first introduction to Jane Austen's world, I was mesmerized by the story and cinematography and by your portrayal of Colonel Brandon. I can't understand or describe the influence your work has had on me and still does. Often I go back and watch your movies because even now you bring comfort to me, unknowingly, unintentionally and as an artist myself I catch myself regularly thinking about what would you think of my work, sadly I will never know. Again, wish I've had more courage when you were still here to write to you... It's my biggest regret. You have inspired me to pursue my dreams even when I was terrified of failure. Because of you I was never ashamed of continuing my studies later in life. Now I wish you were still here but happy I shared a part of the same timeline with you. Miss you (as silly as it is to miss someone you never met), sending lots of love wherever you are. V.G.