Tag Archives: birthdays

Day 19: Kimon

Thank you notes are always better when handwritten. It shows that it meant enough to you that you spent the extra time time to show them you care. I’ve been friends with Kimon since high school. Friday, he gave me an early birthday present: a bottle of District Made Vodka and a Washington Nationals koozie. Both are much appreciated and will definitely be enjoyed.

And check out the numbering on the bottle – I’ve got one of the first 500 bottles ever made by this new distillery!

YoL-2YoL-4

Kimon,

I enjoyed hanging out on Friday and while it was totally unnecessary, I very much appreciate the bottle of District Made Vodka and the Nats Koozie! You are such a generous friend. I didn’t even know there was a vodka distillery in DC. I look forward to trying it with you. Thanks again,

Reed

Let's go Nats!

Let’s go Nats!

Day 13: Ken


I met today’s recipient five years ago today. A proud and stalwart salesman of the Street Sense newspaper in DC, I’ve stayed in touch with him ever since meeting him through my Year of Giving project. You can read about the day we met and see a photo of Ken in action selling the paper here.

Ken Day 13

 

Ken,

Today marks five years since we met at the Dupont Circle metro stop at the corner of 20th and Q. Your passion and enthusiasm for Street Sense, your customers and soccer all inspire me to be passionate about things in my own life. I know you’ve experienced great challenges in your life, but you face them with strength and optimism and I admire that. I know your birthday is this Saturday – let’s go for lunch one day this week or next week to celebrate.

Your friend,

Reed

Day 10: Aunt Sue

Teaism, Dupont Circle

Teaism, Dupont Circle

This morning I did some letter-writing over at Teaism in Dupont – I shared this on social media and invited folks to come out and write some letters with me. None of you showed up, but that’s ok. I wrote some letters over a delicious pot of assam tea. If you want to join me on a future date, stay tuned to the Meet Ups section of the blog.

Today’s letter is for my Aunt Sue. She turns 81 on Wednesday.

She is one of five siblings my mother had. Originally from Richlands, VA, she now lives in an assisted living residence in Tennessee. Even though she has her own apartment there, it’s sad as she just doesn’t have the freedom she used to have. She can’t drive, so spontaneous trips to visit friends and family or even just quick jaunts to the grocery store are now distant memories.

day 10 aunt sueI love to see her, although she’s different now. After losing her husband, her only son, two siblings (one of them my mother), her best friend and many others, the quick wit and vibrance the former head of operating room nurse once had is now gone. Her health has diminished as well. “Don’t ever get old,” she tells me every time we speak. “Don’t do it.” She has this birthday card on her fridge that says something like, “The more you bitch and complain about getting old, the longer you live.” She smiles and says, “Isn’t that the truth” every time she reads it.

I love her very much and hope that she is smiling this Wednesday.

 

 

day 10 aunt sue-2

Dear Aunt Sue,

My aunt loves Akitas.

My aunt loved Akitas.

Happy birthday! I went out looking for a birthday card for you – but I got to be honest, there was nothing there that I thought you’d like as much as this card with the drawing of this gorgeous Akita. I love you very much and will call you on your birthday!

Love,
Y.K.W.

I sign my letters to my aunt “Y.K.W.” (You Know Who). She would always sign her letters to me that way, so I’ve started signing my letters to her in the same manner.