Americans at their best

A fresh source of varied grist for the mill comes from the new book, Letters to Jackie: Condolences From a Grieving Nation.

Here’s one of more than 200 the editors included in the book. Dated Jan. 16, 1964, it’s from Janis Hirsh, of Trenton, N.J.:

I am only thirteen and I know you are well educated, but I still feel I could give you some advice.

“I have been operated on four times for polio and I am now recouporating from a broken hip, but I know you too have problems so I will tell you my remedy for smiling and happiness. Always sing “You Gotta Have Heart” from Damn Yankee’s and I think you’ll be happy. I doubt whether or not you’ll read it, but the aid whose reading this letter; it goes for you to.”

http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061969843/Letters_to_Jackie/index.aspx