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Day 306: Aunt Betty

Posted on November 2, 2015 | Leave a comment

Day 306-2Last week I attended the funeral of my Aunt Sue. Although funerals are always sad for me, the coming together of family helps us heal. One person that I got to see last week was my Aunt Betty – Sue’s older sister. I know she has not been feeling well and I wasn’t sure she was going to be able to make it to the funeral.

Aunt Betty, along with my Uncle Larry, made the trip to Richlands for the funeral. She looked great and I was very happy that she was there.

Today is her birthday and I wanted her to know that I was thinking about her.

Day 306

Aunt Betty,

I wanted you to know that I am thinking about you today on your birthday. Despite the circumstances, it was good to see you last week in Richlands. I know you have not been feeling well – I am glad you were able to make it. I hope you feel better and look forward to seeing you and Uncle Larry soon.

Love,
Jason

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Day 303: Brookdale Kingsport

Posted on October 30, 2015 | Leave a comment

Day 303-2A week ago today my aunt died after declining significantly in health over the past two years. She was a very special person for me. Every time my mother went into the hospital, Aunt Sue was there. She’d show up the same day and stay as long as she was needed.

Aunt Sue’s health started to decline in recent years. After losing her son and her best friend, I noticed her attitude changing. She seemed alone in this world and would frequently tell me that she no longer wanted to live. Two years ago her health rapidly started to deteriorate. She started showing clear signs of dementia and became very frail.

Over the past two years I called her, visited her in Tennessee and of course wrote her handwritten letters. But she was no longer the person I once knew. For the past 18 months she was living at an assisted living center. The staff there took tremendous care of her and I wanted to thank them for everything they did for my aunt.

RIP Aunt Sue – I love you very much.

Day 303

Brookdale Staff,

I wanted to send a note to thank everyone at Brookdale Kingsport for taking such wonderful care of my aunt: Sue Huels. She had not been well for some time. The woman that you knew was just a fraction of the woman she was. Every one of you showed so much kindness, compassion and respect toward her – even in her most difficult times. Thank you.

With gratitude,
Jason Reed Sandridge
(Sue’s nephew)

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Day 302: Steven Weitzman

Posted on October 29, 2015 | Leave a comment

I found out that the artist of one of my favorite pieces of art in our nation’s capital, literally in the Capitol, lives just a few miles outside of the District. I thought I’d let him know that his beautifully crafted bronze statue of Frederick Douglass inspires me every time I see it.

Day 302-3

Steven,

As a resident of our nation’s capital, I’m accustomed to walking by monuments and statues. I cruise down hallways of some of the most iconic buildings in America and don’t stop to appreciate the artistry on display.

I created this tree on the front of the card, then realized I wrote the card upside down so the tree seems like it's on the back of the card!

I created this tree on the front of the card, then realized I wrote the card upside down so the tree seems like it’s on the back of the card!

Often times when I do take an interest in a piece of art or the masterfully painted ceiling, I am unaware of the artist or if I do find out who it was, they’re more than likely deceased. So when I learned that you were the creator of the Frederick Douglass bronze statue that captivates visitors to the U.S. Capitol, I wanted to write you to let you know that your work moved me. Its beauty and power are striking, doing tremendous justice to one of the most charismatic and influential leaders in our history. Brilliant!

With great admiration,
Reed Sandridge

P.S. Ooops – I just realized I wrote this upside down.

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Posted in Uncategorized, You're Awesome!

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Day 191: Cara

Posted on July 10, 2015 | Leave a comment

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.

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Posted in Congratulations

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Day 97: Reyes

Posted on April 8, 2015 | Leave a comment
Postcards that Reyes sent me from her travels through the south of France.

Postcards that Reyes sent me from her travels through the south of France.

Buenos dias! I lived in Valladolid, Spain 20 years ago as part of an exchange program between Indiana University of Pennsylvania and La Universidad de Valladolid. It was a fantastic experience. I lived with a host family while I was there, studied a little bit, explored the city and had a girlfriend for a while too: Reyes.

We’ve stayed in touch on and off for many years – with Facebook it makes it a lot easier. I was pleasantly surprised when I received a nice handwritten note from her along with some post cards from the south of France recently.

I should have written to her in Spanish – but I was feeling a bit lazy this morning and besides, she’s living in London, so English is fair game!

Day 97- Reyes

Day 97- Reyes-2Dear Reyes,

It was so nice to receive your note and beautiful post cards from the south of France. I’ve actually been there about 8 or 9 years ago. It was amazing. Winding through the countryside, you find the most breathtaking little villages.

I know you love France – how about the U.K.? I don’t remember how long you’ve been in London. I’ve really only been to London twice, so I don’t feel that I know it very well. Didn’t you spend some time in Ireland? I love it there.

Thanks to social media we are still in touch 20 years later – but there is nothing like receiving a handwritten note from someone you care about. Thank you and stay in touch.

Abrazos,
Jason

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Posted in Just because, Reconnecting, Replies

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