Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Life-changing letters

Have you ever received a letter that changed your life or at least greatly influenced it?

A story by John Pope on the New Orleans, Louisiana, Times-Picayune newspaper website focuses on William Goldring, the recipient of the 2012 Loving Cup award, given by the newspaper to someone who has "worked unselfishly for the community without expectation of public recognition or material reward."

According to the story, in 1964, when Goldring was about to turn 21, his parents wrote him a letter reminding him that the wealth he was born into brought responsibility. The story quotes the letter: 
"Intelligent use of wealth can bring power and happiness, not only to you, but to many. Wealth can also bring you much happiness and satisfaction by helping others. ... As you get older, you must serve your community."
The article goes on to detail Goldring's many charitable projects. You can read all about it here.

In another newspaper article, it was Chris Hsu's letter to the editor that made a difference. And, while it may not have changed his life, it certainly seems to have shook up his day somewhat.

According to the story by Faimon A. Roberts III on the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, newspaper The Advocate website, the 82-year-old retired Louisiana School for the Deaf teacher had a letter to the editor published on Jan. 12 about the unrest in Syria. That letter brought Hsu a visit from a couple of FBI agents who were interested in his knowledge illustrated in the letter. By the end of the visit, they tried to recruit him. but he declined the offer. (Read the entire story by clicking on the link in this paragraph.)

I can't really pinpoint a specific letter that changed my life dramatically. But, I would say that over the course of some 40 years or more, letters have inspired and encouraged, as well as entertained, me through life's ups and downs.

How about you? Have you had a life-changing, or even a day-changing, letter? Tell us about it!

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