Tag Archives: friends

Day 160: Michael

Posted on June 9, 2015 | Leave a comment

I received terrible news that a friend of mine and leader in the community suffered a stroke on Sunday and was hospitalized. I went over to see him at the hospital. Unfortunately he is in a coma, they lower his sedation a few times a day and he does respond to commands. The medical evaluation concluded that the stroke took place very close to the brain stem and that it could have severe implications. And while the gravity of the situation was clear, I find some hope in the words of Dr. Richard Harvey, director of stroke rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

“Dramatic recovery from a brain stem stroke is possible because brain stem strokes do not usually affect language ability, the patient is able to participate more fully in rehabilitation therapy. Most deficits are motor-related, not cognitive.”

I sat with my friend, held his hand and spoke to him. I told him how much we all love him and are hoping for his speedy recovery.

Keep fighting Michael – we need you brother!

Day 160

Michael,

I stopped by to see you and let you know how much all of us at Street Sense are thinking about you. You are an inspiration to me on how to effectively work with the community to help our less fortunate neighbors. We love you and wish you a speedy recovery.

Reed Sandridge

 

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Day 159: Christy

Posted on June 8, 2015 | 2 comments

Yesterday I mentioned that last week I received some great handwritten letters. One of them was from my friend and former colleague Christy who lives on Long Island.

Photo: NBC

Photo: NBC

Here’s an interesting tidbit and teaser. Along with Christy’s letter, I found a letter addressed to a celebrity who apparently has a PO Box just one number off from mine. I’m not going to reveal who it is just yet, but I’ll give you a hint: he starred on the Emmy Award winning series The West Wing. Stay tuned this week and you’ll see my letter to him. Oh yeah, you better believe I’m sending him a letter!

Day 159

Dear Christy,

What a fantastic surprise it was to find a letter from you in my mailbox. I am not sure when we caught up last, regardless it has been too long.

I’ve been busy this year with my consulting work, the Year of Letters, launching my own greeting card company (Second Story Cards) and some Board related work for some nonprofits that I care a great deal about.

Christy is passionate about music and her stationery reflects that.

Christy is passionate about music and her stationery reflects that.

I’m sorry to hear that your dad was in the hospital earlier this year. Glad to hear that he is doing better. While I have never met him, I feel like I know him a bit through your stories. Who knows how many young people, and adults, he has inspired to pursue their dreams in music. Does he still play…was it trombone?

What are you doing these days? Are you enjoying it? Still singing? You have a beautiful voice.

I do get to New York from time to time and might get to Long Island too. I’ll definitely let you know the next time I’m up in your area.

Thanks so much for saying hello – keep up the handwritten letters!
Reed

P.S. I’m actually supposed to meet up with John Wilson, Randi Tetenbaum and Kim Perry tomorrow. Wish you were here to join us.

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Sunday Notes & Letters for Week 24

Posted on June 7, 2015 | 1 comment
A card from my friend Christy

A card from my friend Christy

It’s hard to believe that I am almost half way through my Year of Letters! It’s been an awesome journey (I sound like I’m on The Bachelor) so far and I am really looking forward to discover where this project takes me for the remainder of the year.

The responses to my letters have picked up, making it even more interesting. This week I received a half-dozen or so handwritten letters. I heard from Christy, a friend and former colleague, in New York who I haven’t connected with in a really long time. I also got a thank you note from my friend Heather who has beautiful handwriting – she’s climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro this year, perhaps I will get a letter from along the trail!

responses

Heather has beautiful handwriting.

You saw this past week that I received a letter from Anthony Kaczynski, the person who found my anonymous letter that I left up in Boston. I also heard from Korrin of Lovely Handwritten Notes – a project that I wrote to on Day 49. She and some friends are reviving it after a hiatus. Keep a look out for a letter to Korrin in the coming days.

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Korrin’s note to me – she also has nice penmanship.

 

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Day 149: The Ruta Family

Posted on May 29, 2015 | Leave a comment

I met my buddy Ryan Ruta while living in Valladolid, Spain back in 1995. We spent a semester studying Spanish at the Universidad de Valladolid. It was a tremendous experience and I made a couple of friends along the way, Ryan was one of them.

He ended up moving to Bolivia to do some post-graduate work, met his wife Twyla, got married, started a family and joined the Foreign Service. Every couple of years they move to a new country and he often comes back to Washington for periods of time, so we get to catch up then.

He was here back in April and I’ve been meaning to write him ever since.

I used some Wasi tape to add an international touch to the header of this piece of stationery.

I used some Washi tape to add an international touch to the header of this piece of stationery.

Dear Ruta Family,

I hope my note finds you well. One thing that I always enjoyed during my time abroad was receiving handwritten letters from friends and family.

I’ve been writing a handwritten note or letter to someone every day this year. Today is Day 149! I’ve written to all kinds of people – family, friends, celebrities, politicians – just yesterday I wrote to former President George W. Bush. Ryan even helped me leave an anonymous note with $10 in it at Starbucks on Day 104 while he was visiting here in DC. I’m sorry there’s no money in this letter for you, I learned long ago that sending cash in the mail is not a wise decision. That reminds me though of a short story, Una Carta a Dios by Gregorio Lopez y Fuentes. Have you read it? You can find it online – it’s really short but worth reading.

I hope to some day visit you guys while you are living abroad. I don’t know if I will make Honduras, although it’s one of the few countries in Latin America that I have not visited. It would be fun to see you and check it off of my list of countries to visit.

I hope that Bianca, Diego and Lexi are all doing well – hopefully making new friends and adapting to life there. I guess the same could be said for both of you too!

When you have time, drop me a note and let me know how you are doing. And definitely let me know when you’ll be in Washington as I always enjoy seeing you and catching up.

Abrazos,
Reed

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Day 136: Kevin

Posted on May 16, 2015 | Leave a comment

Day 136-2-4Could you go back to school, sit in a class room a couple of days a week, do homework, take tests, etc.? I don’t know if I could although I have thought about it several times since graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania back in 1997.

My friend Kevin did it, in fact I think he’s done it twice making this his second Masters degree. This one is in Dramaturgy.

Trust me, 87-year-old Mary Higgins Clark is up there at the podium.

Trust me, 87-year-old Mary Higgins Clark is up there at the podium.

Today I had the honor of joining him while he participated in Catholic University’s commencement – an event that brought me back to my own university days and the feelings I had as I finished my four, ehm, five years of studies there. Mary Higgins Clark gave the keynote speech – a bit disjointed but hell, she’s 87 years old. She rocked!

Congratulations to Kevin and all those who are wearing caps and gowns this spring.

Day 136

Comhghairdeas (that’s Irish for Congratulations)

Kevin,

Day 136-2Congratulations on your M.A. in Dramaturgy. Your continual desire to hone your skills, expand your knowledge and practice what you have learned inspires me. I’m sorry I can’t stay for lunch – but let’s find a time to let me treat you to a few pints to celebrate.

With admiration,
Reed

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