Guess Who Got a Christmas Card from the President?
Did you ever get a Christmas present, and you knew what gift was before you opened it, and because you knew it made the moment even better?
Well, that's how I felt yesterday when Greg Atoms texted me a photo of a letter I'd received. There it was, addressed to me in cursive type and in the top left-hand corner of the very weighty envelope was embossed, in gold letters, "The White House."
I'd gotten a Christmas card from a President once before. I was living in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a good friend of mine was the assistant to the head of that state's Republican Party. He also knew what a big fan I was of then-President Ronald Reagan. So, one day, in my mailbox at home, came an unexpected holiday surprise: A Christmas card from the White House signed by Ronald and Nancy Reagan. It, to this day, remains one of my most prized possessions.
And now, I was pretty sure, there was another.
I arrived at work Wednesday morning and the envelope (The White House!) was sitting on on the desk at my place in the KEEL studio. I lifted it carefully, noticing that the Presidential seal was on the back flap, the same gold print as the front.
Now, let's be clear. I didn't anticipate a signed card from the Trumps. Bluntly speaking, for that you need connections that I just don't have. But somewhere in the White House - or at least in the proximity, I was on somebody's list.
I carefully took the card from it's paper sheath. More gold embossed printing. "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." And beneath that three signatures: Donald Trump, Melania Trump and Barron Trump. Not actual signatures, for sure. Most likely printed by the hundreds, if not thousands by a very sophisticated signature machine. Not real, you say? Know what? I don't care.
Somebody somewhere knew of my political leanings and loyalties and got my name on the White House Christmas card list. Admittedly it's the tier 2 (or 3 or 4) White House list, but it's still pretty awesome to me!
And the source of the card? Who was it that got my name on somebody's list? I do have a couple of suspects, but while i do a little investigating, their names will remain a secret.
Meanwhile, my Christmas card from from my friends Donald, Melania and Barron will go on my tree, right next to the card from my other friends, Ron and Nancy.
Merry Christmas, everybody!