As I have always said, I love to read and Read just about anything. I have never joined a library though I had this madness for reading. I prefer going to the bookstore and getting them. Cause if I like any book, or the author I buy it and keep it with me forever. I think Reading is the best activity. It helps you in every aspect of life. But.........There are people who like to things differently.
This is one beautiful example of humbleness and humanity that I read in Reader Digest . (May 2004 Issue). I wanted to share this with all my MS friends.
It is about an artist Dean Bracy. In December 1999 this man opened a bank account with 10, 000 one dollar note. Each note as it went into circulation was carrying a hand written message ? where does a dollar go. Send me a postcard? . Bracy also included his address on the note.
The idea for the project came to Bracy when he attended an exhibit of mosaics, each fashioned from hundreds of squares, all meticulously hand painted. And suddenly he envisioned himself creating his own gaint mosaic made from hundreds of picture postcards. He also found that writing on the edge of the notes was not illegal.
He approached a friend for a loan of 10000 USD to buy new one-dollar notes. He then quit his job and for ten weeks nine hours at a stretch he carefully wrote his message with a black felt tip marker. He then waited for responses to come.
For 6 months he did not get any responses and then suddenly in May postcards began to arrive. Given below are a few of those responses which I wanted you all to read. I have selected a few of them which really touched my heart.
1: Stevan discovered a dollar in his wallet while buying coffee. He wrote? It was the first day of my honeymoon with my wonderful bride. Which means the dollar was in my wallet in my pocket through the whole ceremony and reception. Your dollar has traveled up and down the California coast this lat week?. ???..Very touchy isn?t it?
2: Elizabeth age 11 wrote? Dear D. D B (Dear Dollar Buddy I guess) , I got your dollar , I have two stinky mean brothers, two birds one cat and two dogs. Do you have any stinky brothers or pets.? ???????So Sweeeeeeet!!!!!
3: Karen sent a photograph of herself stuffing a sandwich in her mouth. ? Here I am doing what I do best? she wrote.
He also received message which could bring one to tears .A distraught writer wrote ? You dollar went to help bury a mother and four year old son who had no reason to die?.
He also received travel brochure, maps, menus , bumper stickers, refrigerator magnets, baseball cards and five lottery tickets. People detailed their lives, politics and their towns.
And this is not all, guess what Bracy does with all the replies he gets. He tucks each reply he gets- and anything that comes with it, into a clear plastic sleeve which he files according to postmark date???Now isn?t that a wonderful thing.
What is more important that the effort each one has taken to respond to Bracy . A writer from California who precisely penned his note backward in neat letters, perhaps said it best? Everything you do , everything you think affects who you are?.
Isn?t it wonderful. How can one get any idea to do something like this?. Great.
Anyways, If I come across something like this again, I shall be back.
Till then....Keep Smiling and Keep Writing.
Regards
Anu