13 Comments
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Meg Robson Mahoney's avatar

Thank you! I’m glad to be reminded to make contact even & especially in difficult times — and that thoughtful comments do suffice, no matter the subject.

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Andi Penner's avatar

Thank you, Meg.

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Jillian Barnet's avatar

Thank you, Andi, for the mention❤️ It means so very much when these days feel like such a struggle. I’m hanging in there with you calling and protesting, and trying to make art in the darkness.

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Andi Penner's avatar

Keep going with that memoir....

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Victoria Whitaker's avatar

I grew up on the magic and connection of letter writing. I remember watching and listening to my mother tap out letters to my dad who was stationed over seas. My dad was in the navy. This was the 50s. We were in the San Fernando Valley. He was somewhere in the Pacific. My sister and I ran in and out of the house to play with friends, we raced back inside (don't slam the screen door!!!) to get a drink of water or a sandwich or a cookie. Back out again at breakneck speed to play with our friends. Ball. Tag. Jump rope. Hop scotch. Jacks. And back inside to hear the tap, tap, tapping of my mother's fingers against the keyboard of the manual typewriter. I do believe my mom and dad wrote to each other often. My mom would often read the post-script to to dad's letters where he always included a "hug to the girls."

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Andi Penner's avatar

Love that story. Great image.

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Michele M Potter's avatar

Ah yes, letters! This week: One from a ski student, one from a man who lives an hour away (aww....) and one from my cousin. Real letters! I have always written them, but rarely receive one back.It's satisfying anyway. I've written the previous president twice, and found a signed (really?) response and two huge answers to my giant requests. I have not figured out to whom I should now write in the Large White House in DC who might respond.

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Andi Penner's avatar

You and I have exchanged real letters! I love them, too.

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Dorothy's avatar

Thank you, Andi for this letter. I wrote letters to my senators and reps i Congress to save PBS!

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Andi Penner's avatar

We have no lack of things to write about!

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K A's avatar

Thank you Andi for sharing! Your thoughts are always appreciated!

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Andi Penner's avatar

Thanks, K. A. xo

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Karen Rand Anderson's avatar

A wonderful post, Andi. I am passionate about saving NPR and am doubling my (2) sustaining memberships, I try to donate as much as possible to down-ballot candidates, etc. But writing to my Democratic representatives feels like preaching to the choir. I'm waiting patiently for the entire WhiteHOuse fiasco to implode, although it may take years, even decades.

However, your prompt to "write a letter to someone you love or like or admire or whose life and work you value" is inspirational for me. Many thanks, and I will keep writing, because it seems like the best thing to do in this dark time.

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