Category Archives: Just because

Day 26: Aunt Sue

My Aunt Sue was the recipient of my letter on Day 10 – it was her birthday. As I mentioned then she’s struggled over the past year with several health problems and her memory has gotten much worse. Today I called her to see how she was doing and she sounded great – just like she used to. In fact, she said herself that she felt like parts of her memory were slowly coming back to her.

She lives in an assisted living center and is supposed to go to meals in the dining room, but since she’s been there she’s only been down to the dining room probably a dozen times. She said today that she has started going – and didn’t know why she hasn’t been going. I’m cautiously optimistic about these developments. Anyway, it was wonderful to have the old Aunt Sue back and share those special moments with her today. I hope that continues.

YoL-2-2

Dear Aunt Sue,

YoL-7It was so good to talk to you today. You sounded so good. I’m happy that you are getting out of your apartment more, eating in the dining room and meeting others. Getting out and being more active will surely help you feel better.

Ryan and I are planning to come down to TN the last weekend in February – we’re both looking forward to it!

I’ll call you this weekend.

Love you,
YKW [My Aunt Sue used to always sign her letters to me “YKW” for You Know Who]

Day 16: Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook

Photo: zagg.com

Photo: zagg.com

I recently stumbled upon a Washington Post article from about a year ago that was about Facebook Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s goal to write a thank-you note every day in 2014. Pretty cool! I can’t find any articles that follow up on that to see if he in fact was able to do it. I can tell you, it’s harder than it sounds!

I thought that Mark and I were friends on Facebook. I swear! When I first signed up years ago I thought it was kind of automatic that you became friends with Mark…you know, so you weren’t lonely on Facebook. But I just double-checked and sadly we’re not friends on Facebook – yet! Maybe he unfriended me.

Despite being a pioneer in the digital world, I hope that he appreciates the handwritten letter as much as I do. Who knows, maybe he’ll write me back or post to my Facebook page?

Mark Zuckerberg Mark Zuckerberg-2

Dear Mark,

I just read that last year you made a goal to write one thank-you note each day – I love that idea! In fact I just embarked on a year-long journey to write one handwritten letter every day for a year (facebook.com/yearofletters). I was curious about two things. First, how did it go? And second, do you have any advice me.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Your Facebook friend,
Reed Sandridge

P.S. Nice work on launching Internet.org in Colombia!

Day 8: Brian

I worked for Brian seven years ago – his enthusiasm coupled with his business and marketing acumen make him one hell of a leader. My business took me within a few miles of his Carlisle, MA home and it worked out for us to grab a beer together. By the way – I found this wonderful Arturo stationery at Rugg Road Paper Company on Charles Street in downtown Boston. The natural rough edges give it a subtle sophisticated character.

Brian H Day 8

 

Brian,

It was great to catch up on Tuesday – by far the highlight of my trip. You always energize me and inspire me to look at issues from new vantage points. I wish you, Danielle and the kids a 2015 teeming with good health and happiness.

Reed

PS. I read the Urschel article – fascinating!

Day 7: Steve Carell

Photo courtesy of http://disney.wikia.com

Photo courtesy of http://disney.wikia.com

Greetings from Massachusetts – I’m up here for some business meetings. Today’s recipient needs no introduction, but I thought I would share this little nugget of information. Did you know that the former star of The Office had a short-lived stint as rural mail carrier while he was living here in Massachusetts. Yep, and he drove his own car around reaching over to try to shove letters in mailboxes. He lasted four months…months later he said he found some undelivered mail Continue reading