Category Archives: Congratulations

Day 307: Terry Gross

I’m a big fan of NPR and one of my favorite hosts is Terry Gross. If you haven’t heard her show Fresh Air, you should really make a point to listen. I used to catch the show here and there, but now I have started listening to podcasts when I’m walking to/from work and such – that way I can hear all the episodes.

I really think that Terry is precisely the type of person who appreciates the handwritten letter. Hopefully I’m right.

Day 307-4

Dear Terry,

I’ve heard Fresh Air for many years but only recently began listening. I love how you talk with your guests. There’s something beautiful about your style, maybe it’s your empathy. Your questions are always thoughtful and poignant. And you have a true gift of summarizing the work of others – I recently got a kick out of Michael Keaton’s appreciation for your characterization of his films. So memorable.

Congratulations on 40 years of Fresh Air – I hope you continue for many years to come.

Reed Sandridge

Day 300: Ronda

Another handmade card and envelope.

Another handmade card and envelope.

I made it to Day 300!!!

Today’s letter is to my cousin’s wife Ronda. She recently finished her PhD program focusing on the intersection of post-secondary education and first-generation Appalachian students. It’s an academic accomplishment that I don’t believe I could achieve. A few years ago I had the opportunity to meet one of the top environmental scientists in the country. Talking about his PhD work, I recall him saying, “If I knew how long and hard it was going to be, I would have never pursued it.”

Congratulations Ronda!

Day 300

 

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
-M. K. Gandhi

Ronda,

Completing your doctoral degree is remarkable – it speaks to your dedication, commitment and curiosity for the unknown. Education, both formal and informal, is an important part of what makes life meaningful. We learn to be open-minded. We share what we learn with others and pass down our knowledge to future generations – it’s the soul of society.

Congratulations,
Jason

 

Day 272: Trea Turner, Washington Nationals

trea

Turner heads for the dugout after hitting his first big league home run.

Trea Turner is a 22-year-old professional baseball player. He’s one of the fastest players in the game. When he played at NC State, he stole 57 bases which was more than the team total of 158 Division I teams. Tonight he proved not only is he fast and a good defensive player, but he can also hit the ball out of the park.

You’ve got to check this guy out. It’s not just that he’s talented, there is something about him that seems to embody the love of the game. It was a lot of fun to watch him hit that home run tonight.

Day 272

Dear Trea,

First and foremost, congratulations on making your big-league debut back in August and for hitting your first home run tonight. As I live in DC, I was watching the game on MASN – what a great shot. Seeing how happy you were made my day!

When you get on base, the game gets exciting – it reminds me a bit of one of my childhood heroes, Mookie Wilson. He was a great base stealer – but I’m pretty sure you’re faster.

I’ve written to Clint, Jayson, Yunel – heck I even wrote to Teddy about the Presidents Race. So far, none have responded. Maybe you’ll be the first! I believe in you.

Best of luck to you – the future looks bright,
Reed

P.S. Who was the first person you called after you hit the home run?

Day 259: Enrique Peña Nieto, President of Mexico

photo: independent.co.uk

photo: independent.co.uk

Today is the 205th anniversary of the beginning of Mexico’s war of independence from Spain. I thought I would drop Mexico’s president a note to send my best wishes on the anniversary and also take advantage of the opportunity to find out who President Peña Nieto likes in our upcoming presidential election. I’ve got a feeling it’s not Trump, given his rather salty remarks about our neighbors to the south.

Day259

Mr. President,

I wanted to send you a letter to wish you and all of Mexico well today, the 16th of September, on the anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Mexico.

I lived for one year in the esteemed metropolitan city of Guasave, Sinaloa when I was a junior in high school – similar to the year you spent at Denis Hall Junior High in Maine. I love Mexico and the Mexican people.

I would be interested to know which 2016 candidate for president in the United States you feel is the best.

Kind regards from Washington, D.C.,
Reed Sandridge

P.S. I also studied at Tec de Monterrey (for one semester), but I was at the Mazatlan campus, which I don’t believe is at the same level as the Monterrey campus where you studied, but it was still an amazing experience. 

 

Day 250: Michael Raymer

Screen Shot 2015-09-11 at 12.19.30 AM

photo: inquisitr.com

Last week I heard about a touching story of a mail carrier in Glendale, AZ who left his customers handwritten notes (one of them is shown here) informing them that he was retiring at the end of the month and telling them how much he enjoyed getting to know them over the years.

You can check out the story for yourself here.

Day250-2

Michael,

Today is Labor Day and I thought it would be fitting to drop you a note – you’ve certainly worked hard throughout your career and deserve a day off. Thank you for both your military and civil service to our country.

I created a custom card for Michael

I created a custom card for Michael

I read about your handwritten note to your mail customers – that was very thoughtful. I particularly appreciated it because not only did I grow up next door to a postal carrier, but I also am a big fan of handwritten correspondence.

Do you have any special stories you would be willing to share about your work as a mail carrier. I imagine over the past 20 yrs you must have had some good ones!

Best of luck in your retirement!
Reed Sandridge