Tag Archives: handwritten letters

Day 146: Dad

Day 146

Dad,

When I look back at the letters that I have from you and Mom growing up, the majority were sent while I was spending time away from home at camp, as an exchange student, at college, etc. I’ve kept those letters, I treasure them. They bring back beautiful memories when I hold them in my hand and read the words that you wrote by hand.

As you spend time at the cabin, I thought you could use some mail. It was great to see you this past weekend – I really enjoyed the time we got to spend together.

DadJason

With Dad at a Nationals game a few years ago.

I wonder if you saw the Nats yesterday – close game, they beat the cubs 2-1, Ramos hit the game winning home run. You should google Michael Taylor’s catch if you didn’t see it already, beautiful!

Things here are going fine. I got your check for the Street Sense event on June 2nd. Thank you, that was very generous of you. Put Oct. 1st on your calendar – the 2015 Street Sense Gala. It’s shaping up to be a really cool event.

I’m going over to Ryan’s tonight to babysit Jacqueline and Mackenzie – Ryan and Mandy are going to see comedienne Amy Schumer.

We need to talk about our trip to Europe – we put it on hold as I recall when you had your knee surgery, but that’s been four years now and we still haven’t made plans for the trip.

I’m not sure how long you’re planning on staying up there, but maybe I will try to come visit. And I hope you know that you are always welcome here – I really enjoy when you visit. Maybe we can find time for you to come when we can get to a couple of Nationals games. That would be fun.

I know you have things you want to get done up there, but I hope you take some time to relax and enjoy yourself too.

I love you very much,
Jason

Day 146-2

Day 145: Willie Mays

Portrait of San Francisco Giants center fielder Willie Mays before game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers at Candlestick Park.  San Francisco, California 7/5/1962  Photo: rsvits.com

Portrait of San Francisco Giants center fielder Willie Mays before game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers at Candlestick Park.
San Francisco, California 7/5/1962
Photo: rsvits.com

Sixty-four years ago today Willie Howard Mays, Jr. made his major league debut with the New York Giants – now the San Francisco Giants. Despite being armed with a sure glove and a powerful swing, he struggled in his very first days in the big leagues. He went 0-23 in his first 23 plate appearances until belting a home run in his 24th at bat.

I embossed his number on the back of the envelope.

I embossed his number on the back of the envelope.

I was curious if that is why he wore number 24 or if he already used that number. I did some research but didn’t find anything conclusive so I decided to ask the “Say Hey Kid” himself.

Mays went on to play 22 seasons and earned an impressive .302 lifetime batting average. He was rookie of the year in 1951, voted to 19 All-Star games, won a World Series, earned 12 Gold Gloves, and even hit four home runs in a single game – something only 15 other players have ever done, the last being Carlos Delgado in 2003.

Day 145

Dear Mr. Mays,

Today marks 64 years since you debuted in the Major Leagues. There hasn’t been another player with your level of talent and passion for the game since you left baseball in ’73. Your famous catch in the ’54 World Series remains one of the most iconic baseball images of all time. You are the greatest of them all.

Day 145-2I’m curious, did you choose 24 from the start or did you pick that after getting your first hit on your 24th at bat – a home run at the Polo Grounds if I’m not mistaken.

I hope to hear from you.

With tremendous admiration and respect,
Reed Sandridge

P.S. Happy belated birthday!

 

Sunday Notes & Letters for Week 22

Photo: webodysseum.com

Photo: webodysseum.com

In November of 1940 a Cuban boy wrote a letter to Franklin Delano Roosevelt to congratulate him on winning reelection. He even offered some advice to him about how to source iron needed for the American ships being used in World War II.

The letter is penned by Fidel Castro himself. In the letter he says that he is twelve at the time, however, that contradicts current records that suggest he would have been 14. Perhaps he made a mistake with the numbers in English.

Enjoy the letter. The young Castro had decent penmanship and his signature reminds me a bit of mine at that age – lots of dramatic swirls of the pen!

Source: National Archives Catalog

Source: National Archives Catalog

Source: National Archives Catalog

Source: National Archives Catalog

Transcript of letter

Santiago de Cuba, November 6th 1940

Mr. Franklin Roosevelt
President of the United States:

My good friend Roosevelt:
 
I don’t know very English, but I know as much as write to you.
I like to hear the radio, and I am very happy, because I heard in it, that you will be President for a new (periodo).
I am twelve years old. I am a boy but I think very much, but I do not think that I am writing to the President of the United States.
If you like, give me a ten dollars bill green american in the letter, because never, I have not seen a ten dollars bill green american and I would like to have one of them.
 
My address is:
Sr. Fidel Castro
Colegio de Dolores
Santiago de Cuba
Oriente Cuba
 
I don’t know very English but I know very much Spanish and I suppose you don’t know very Spanish but you know very English because you are American but I am not American.
 
Thank you very much
Good by. Your friend,
 
Fidel Castro
 
If you want iron to make your ships I will show to you the bigest (minas) of iron in the land. They are in Mayorí, Oriente, Cuba.

 

In a 1975 interview, Castro said he received a response from the White House – but no $10 bill.

 

Day 143: Michael Swaine

Photo: Darryl Bush

Photo: Darryl Bush

One of my favorite television journalists is Steve Hartman. When you turn on CBS and see him, you know that you are about to see a story that is going to touch your heart. He did a story in October of 2006 about a young kid with autism named Jason McElwain who became an unlikely hero on the basketball court.

Last night I saw a story he did on an art professor named Michael Swaine from San Francisco. Once a month for the past 15 years Michael pulls a cart with an antique sewing machine on it into the streets of San Francisco’s Tenderloin District and repairs and alters people’s clothes at no cost. He calls it the Free Mending Library. And while what he is doing is awesome in and of itself, the real value is how he is touching the community. The stories he sews are strengthening that community.

Day 143-2

Dear Michael,

I saw your story on CBS last evening – so inspiring. I love it. I looked you up online and found FutureFarmers.com – also amazing projects.

You are doing so much more than sewing – you’re mending a stronger fabric of community which is something we are thirsty for these days. I’d love to know more about other projects you’re involved with as I too am investing in projects that create meaningful community in unique and hopefully inspiring ways. Where’s the best place to follow what you are up to?

All the best,
Reed Sandridge

Day 142: Jon

I spent a good portion of Wednesday with Jon – a colleague who is an expert on conservation in the Eastern Himalayas. He gave a talk that evening that was excellent – Jon is talented at using storytelling to effectively engage his audience. He spoke passionately about the region – especially Nepal, a country that has suffered such terrible loss over the last month.

Jon lives in New Jersey and spends a great deal of time in Asia – so this doesn’t happen that often. I was very thankful to have the time with him and learn more about the projects that he is managing.

Day 142-2

Jon,

What a pleasure it was to spend time with you in Boston this week. Your talk was excellent and the feedback I heard from others echoed my praise. Your knowledge, passion and thoughtfulness touched all of us. I look forward to working with you more in the future.

Best wishes for a safe and productive trip to Mongolia and Bhutan.

Reed

P.S. I ordered a copy of Spillover – thanks for the recommendation.