The Letter: Mark As Unread
Issue 105
(Somehow, some way, this didn’t send last night when I thought it did. Here goes again…)
Dearest Readers, love and light to those in Israel, Gaza, and all corners of the earth suffering from what’s happening there. It’s too painful to imagine.
Planned with patience and ignited in an instant, a war rages. Life is unfathomable—beautiful and horrific. We’re connected in that. Hug your people. ❤️
Obsessed with the Obsessive
The show you didn’t know you needed is How To With John Wilson.
Watch the trailer. It’s quirky, entertaining, and terribly un-fancy.
It’s three seasons of strange and mundane New York City occupants filmed by the peculiar documentarian John Wilson. He’s obsessed with other people’s obsessions. He finds people online, meets them in person, and takes their interests seriously (anti-circumcision groups included). Where on the Internet does he find his subjects? Mostly on Craigslist, of course.
Each episode is a collage of micro-moments caught on camera while he walks around New York City, as well as a deep dive into a subject you didn’t know you cared about—hello, the scaffolding polluting New York City—hint: the reason you think it’s there isn’t the reason at all.
It’s as charming as it is odd. You’ll learn something (even if it’s who you never want to meet). Enjoy the show, and report back, please.
Swipe Right
OMFG! Today, I learned of a life-changing feature on my iPhone. I can mark texts as unread. For those who rely on unread emails like I do, this is exactly the feature iMessages has been missing—until now.
Simply swipe right! This may be the best day of my life.
The Race to Nowhere
Admittedly, I’m on the opposite end of the push-your-kids-hard spectrum (so much so I could probably take a page from that book). Still, my kids are not immune to the pressures of today.
Enter a book recommended by a good friend, Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-and What We Can Do About It. Thanks, Jess.
The expectations we put on our kids are stressing them out—grades, sports, activities, followers, manners, and the like. What matters is the feeling they matter. I swiped this review from an Amazon reviewer (because I only learned of the book today and have yet to read it). There are many more like it.
If only I could rewind, there are many things I would want to do differently to ensure that my kids know that they matter and feel that they are living with a purpose that includes not only their success, but the success of their family, friends, and community. And none of that success needs to include acceptance to an Ivy League school! —Random Person
If you’re more of a podcast listener, start here. Then buy the book (as I will).
From John
I resonate with John Wilson as a fellow fan of meeting interesting people. Hence, my relationship with San Quentin Death Row inmate John.
Last week, John nearly gave me a heart attack when he asked me the reason for our relationship—where did I see it going?
Holy shit. Does he think we’re more than friends? He may.
Since we began talking, I’ve trusted my reasons and, therefore, knew I’d be able to communicate them if and when needed. That day came. Here’s what John wrote to me and what I wrote in response (and what he wrote in response to that :)
John:
("_"). We've been texting for over 52 day's now, before that, may 22,2023, was your first letter. I've tried to tell you anything, everything about me. With the information highway, you should know me well, my life history, yet Simone, your still here.? So, it's important to me, to know, where are we going with this relationship? We are two different personalities. Age, I'm 74, you're 47. I may leave the row, but go to possibly CMF. Cal. Med. Facility in Sacramento. I don't know any more than that, or if I'll ever leave prison. You have a life out there, where do you want to take this? J.Me:
Hi John, Thanks for your note. I see why you'd ask where this relationship is going. With all I know about you and the discrepancy in our lives, it's a fair question.
Our communication started because of an art piece I inherited from my mom — I wanted to make a connection with the artist. In doing so, I had a chance to meet and learn about someone not far from but with a very different life. It was a rare opportunity I wanted to explore.
I believe in humans. I have compassion. I wondered what we could learn from one another — given it’s not everyday this type of connection occurs (for me, at least). As well, I imagine many people in your situation would benefit from communicating with someone on the outside.
In time, we started a friendship — two people connecting as human beings — nothing more, nothing less. Friends, that’s what this relationship means to me.
You?John:
You pretty well covered everything. It's a pleasure having you as a Friend Simone. I do enjoy your thoughts. ( I said to you once, I do friendship really well.). I was not a good father, or husband, but I've told men long ago, I've got your back. J.A good friend is hard to find, unusual with how we met, like night and day, totally different, yet friend's in gray as one moves on it's journey./////. Enjoy the kid's, a home's not right without the noise they bring. J.I Miss Her
I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have saved these voicemails from my mom. Unfortunately, most of them are from her days in the hospital, and therefore, the subject matter is anything but exciting.
However, as she declined, I had the wherewithal to save her voicemails. Now she’s in my ear when I want her there.
Your parents (especially) won’t be here forever. Save their messages, record a conversation—capture what you can of their voice.
You will be grateful one day. I promise!
A Photo from the Archives
My mom, Emma, Owen, and my stepdad Michael many years ago.
