Today is my Aunt Barb’s birthday. I got to see her last month – she always cooks a delicious meal when I’m down at their place in Kingport, TN.
Aunt Barb,
Just a note to wish you a happy birthday today. Despite the circumstances, I enjoyed spending time with you and Uncle Jim in October. I hope you are both doing well. I heard today that Betty was admitted to the hospital – been a tough month.
Love you & hope to see you soon,
Jason
Posted in Birthdays
Tagged birthdays, family, handwritten letters, Kingsport, Paper Source, Tennessee, Year of Letters
I’m a big fan of NPR and one of my favorite hosts is Terry Gross. If you haven’t heard her show Fresh Air, you should really make a point to listen. I used to catch the show here and there, but now I have started listening to podcasts when I’m walking to/from work and such – that way I can hear all the episodes.
I really think that Terry is precisely the type of person who appreciates the handwritten letter. Hopefully I’m right.
Dear Terry,
I’ve heard Fresh Air for many years but only recently began listening. I love how you talk with your guests. There’s something beautiful about your style, maybe it’s your empathy. Your questions are always thoughtful and poignant. And you have a true gift of summarizing the work of others – I recently got a kick out of Michael Keaton’s appreciation for your characterization of his films. So memorable.
Congratulations on 40 years of Fresh Air – I hope you continue for many years to come.
Reed Sandridge
Posted in Congratulations
Tagged embossed, famous people, handwritten letters, journalists, legends, NPR, Paper Source, podcasts, radio, WHYY, Year of Letters
Last 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.
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
Posted in Birthdays
Tagged birthdays, custom envelope liner, embossed, family, handwritten notes, health, Paper Source, Year of Letters
I spent the last week in Kingsport, TN. I traveled there to see my 81-year-old aunt whose health had been declining dramatically. She passed away about four hours after we arrived.
And while the week was filled with mixed emotions, the bright part of it all was spending time with family. On Wednesday night, we went to dinner with my cousin Stacy and his family to a restaurant I hadn’t tried before: Stir Fry. Good spot if you are traveling through Kingsport.
Stacy, Ronda & Walker,
Thank you so much for dinner Wednesday night. All of us enjoyed Stir Fry – a new restaurant for all of us – but even more we enjoyed spending time with you. Wish we lived closer together. Next time, it’s our treat!
Uncle Jerry, Jason, Ryan
Posted in Thank-yous
Tagged Aunt Sue, family, food, handwritten letters, letters, Paper Source, relatives, restaurants, Year of Letters
A 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.
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)
Posted in Thank-yous
Tagged custom envelope liner, death, embossed, family, handwritten letters, health, illness, Paper Source, thank-yous, Year of Letters