Spiral Crone
What goes around, comes around.

When I was in grade school, President Eisenhower started an organization called People-to-People (1956). I joined up and got a Japanese pen pal named Mitsako Kobashi. I still have all the letters that she sent me, all with lovely colored postage stamps on the envelopes. (I wonder if she saved my letters, too?)

In 1961 PtP was privatized and moved to Kansas City, Missouri. I have driven past the headquarters for years and never knew that it was located there. The current CEO is Mary Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Eisenhower.

I realized one day that my experience with this organization set my course on the World Wide Web. I now have numerous correspondents in far-flung corners of the world, and we can chat in real time about anything we want to, for only the price of an Internet connection. I regularly exchange emails with people in Brazil, Sweden, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Israel, England, Ireland, and New Zealand. We also exchange documents and gifts through postal mail.

I wish I could thank my parents for encouraging me to participate in the program, and thank President Eisenhower for getting it started.

I did call and leave a message for Ms. Eisenhower, but her assistant said that she was very busy and might not be able to get back to me.

I wonder if she emails?

Bright Blessings,
Spiral Crone

Permalink posted by Spiral Crone -- 3:43 PM.

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