Category Archives: Congratulations

Day 191: Cara

The Capital Fringe Festival has begun and I went on opening day to see I AM THE GENTRY, a moving play written and performed by local artist Cara Gabriel. If you live in D.C., you should check it out.

Day 191

 

Dear Cara,

I was an audience member at your opening night performance of I AM THE GENTRY in this year’s Capital Fringe Festival. You did a fabulous job performing your masterfully written script.

Day 191-2Community is at the heart of a lot of my work and I felt that theme strongly throughout your play. There are of course the obvious physical and economic changes that occur with gentrification, but the social changes, particularly related to the sense of community that we feel, or don’t feel, within our neighborhoods, are difficult to articulate and even more complicated to properly value.

I believe it was Ms. June in your play whose death you said would forever change the ethos of your old neighborhood. It is sad when the stalwart members of a community die or move away – they often take with them so much more than their families and belongings.

I wish you well with the play. It is thought-provoking and entertaining, but more than that, it’s an important story and I hope that you will continue to share it with many more audiences.

With admiration,
Reed Sandridge

I made an envelope liner out of the program.

I made an envelope liner out of the program.

Day 180: Jeri

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I normally don’t use Hallmark stationery – but I like this one.

On May 27th my friend Jeri posted this on Facebook:

“Exciting news today! I have been selected to attend the School of Advanced Military Studies program at Ft. Leavenworth. It is a one year program and means I am moving back to Kansas! I am sure no one ever thought they would hear those words from my mouth. Classes start June 29th…will depart DC on the 15th. Life is crazy sometimes!”

Life is crazy sometimes and we didn’t even manage to meet up before she left. Jeri started classes today – so I thought I would drop her a note in the mail.

Day 180

Dear Jeri,

Congratulations on being accepted into the Advanced Military Studies program at Ft. Leavenworth! I’m glad you have arrived safely in Kansas – I’m thinking this just might be the first handwritten letter that has welcomed you to your new home.

I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet up before you left. My schedule has been chaotic lately. Today I’m writing you from State College, PA.

Once you get settled in, maybe we can find some time to Skype or talk by phone and you can catch me up on this new adventure. You sounded pretty excited – it’s not everyone whose pulse quickens at the thought of going to Ft. Leavenworth! I hope that you enjoy it, I know you’ll love being closer to your family. And who knows, maybe I’ll show up there some day – you know I go to Lawrence from time to time. It appears to be less than an hour away.

Stay in touch,
Reed

 

Day 174: Dianne and Jeff

Sometimes I am late in sending notes of congratulations…but I send them! This one is to my cousin Dianne and her fiancé Jeff.

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I made a liner for this envelope and did some embossing on the front of the card.

Day 174

Dianne and Jeff,

I am long overdue in sending my congratulations on taking this exciting step together. I look forward to seeing you both soon and getting to know Jeff. Enjoy this special time.

Wishing you all the best,
Jason

 

Day 174-2

 

 

Day 162: Elizabeth Holmes, CEO of Theranos

Photo: Forbes

Photo: Forbes

If you haven’t heard of Theranos, just wait. I’ve got a feeling we’ll be hearing quite a lot from this company in future. Elizabeth Holmes is their CEO and she is trying to transform the way blood diagnostic testing is done in the United States. Theranos is the Uber of the blood diagnostic industry.

Holmes is an interesting woman. I don’t know her, but her story caught my attention. It goes back to when she was nine years old. Her father was moving the family from Washington, DC to Houston, Texas and Holmes wrote him a letter. You can see part of it here from a screen shot I took from the CBS story on her.

Photo: CBS

Photo: CBS

The letter starts out, “Dear Daddy, What I really want out of life is to discover something new, something that mankind didn’t know was possible to do.” Now twenty-two years later, Holmes is realizing her dreams. Pretty cool. Oh, and by the way, she’s the youngest female self-made billionaire. Not too shabby.

Day 162

Dear Elizabeth,

I recently saw a story on CBS about you and Theranos. I don’t like to get my blood taken – especially if it requires several large tubes. I always request to lie down. One time I fainted after the lab technician, who was obviously training, asked for someone to come and check that she was doing everything right. Ironically she was mad at me for passing out and scaring her!

What moved me to write to you was the handwritten letter you sent your father when you were nine. The curiosity and sense of sense of adventure in your words are inspiring. What did I tell my parents I wanted to do when I was nine? Probably play centerfield for the New York Mets (and I don’t play professional baseball in case you were wondering.) That’s ok though – what matters is making a difference in the lives of others. You are doing just that.

Congratulations and best of luck to you.
Reed

Day 150: Rev. Charles

Rev. Randolph C. Charles at The Church of the Epiphany. Photo: epiphanydc.org

Rev. Randolph C. Charles at The Church of the Epiphany. Photo: epiphanydc.org

Street Sense, an organization that I’ve supported for many years, has been housed at The Church of the Epiphany on G Street in downtown Washington for as long as I can remember. The staff is extraordinarily welcoming and kind to the staff and the many men and women who sell the Street Sense newspaper.

I learned yesterday that Rev. Charles, who has skillfully led the church for many years, is retiring. I’ve only met him briefly, but his kindness and compassion toward the organization has touched the hearts of so many and I thought I would send him a note to thank him and wish him well.

Day 150

 

Dear Rev. Charles,

Yesterday I learned that you were retiring from your position as pastor at Church of the Epiphany. I’ve been on the Board of Directors of Street Sense for 3 years and appreciate very much everything that the church and you personally have done for the organization. Your warm, welcoming spirit has touched the hearts of many of the men and women experiencing homelessness that are involved with Street Sense. As a pastor, you recognize the importance of community, fellowship and establishing a home – the Church of the Epiphany has been a home to all of us who visit. Street Sense would not be able to do the work that it does and help so many people find their way home without the leadership and friendship you have provided to so many. Thank you! On behalf of Brian Carome, our staff, vendors, volunteers and fellow Board members, I thank you and wish you well in all of your future endeavors. May our paths continue to cross.

With great appreciation,
Reed Sandridge
Street Sense Board Member