5/10/2021

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            I just got your letter dated April 29. When I saw the envelope from the IRS I was afraid it was a letter telling me I had screwed up on my taxes. It was a relief to see it was a nice note from you alerting me to the fact that I would get a $4200 direct deposit. The timing of the letter was odd since I received that payment over a month ago & had to go to the bank to ask about it. It confused me because the payment is too high since our daughter is no longer a dependent. I don’t know who to tell about this. Do you have a suggestion for me?

            How was your Mather’s Day? I just read your Proclamation & thought it was great. I appreciated that you acknowledged that many people observe this day without their moms & that many mothers have to go through the day being reminded of the child who predeceased them. Speaking of which, I encourage you to take a look at the recent NYT article about the “Mothers of the Movement” chronicling Black moms who have lost their sons to gun violence. It’s quite moving.

Whoever wrote, “May God bless their memory and may this day fall gently on their loved ones left behind” has a gift! It would be great if next year’s proclamation included mention of Julia Ward Howe & her original intentions for the day.

            I saw the video of the call you made to Sec of Labor Marty Walsh’s mom to wish her a Happy Mother’s Day and tell her what a good job he was doing. It’s too bad she didn’t pick up. You & Marty are two peas in a pod. Children of Irish Catholic parents, survivors of tremendous personal hardships & big teasers. His Boston accent makes me smile.

            BYBS,

            RCA

PS – Please hold in the Light Burmese poet Khet Thi, who penned the line “They shoot in the head, but they don’t know the revolution is in the heart.” He was killed by the junta & returned to his family without his internal organs. Very disturbing!!!