To A Chained Globetrotter

Hi Jared,

I think the only way to start this letter would be this: I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. I can only imagine how painful that must have been, and probably even more so with the need to care for your mom (quite a change in your life I assume!).

I’m only 24, so I haven’t experienced the caretaker role yet. But I imagine it to be stressful, rewarding, and difficult in equal measures. How have you handled it all so far?

Yet she is so lucky to have a son who cares for her.

It’s very cool that you work for your local Democratic Party! What is that like? Do you organize events, help in campaigns, or something else? I’m a software developer in Oregon, so I can’t say I know much of what political work looks like.

I used to live near Asheville, North Carolina. I can imagine being a Democrat tough at times in Tennessee.

I’ve never understood the divide on basis of the name of the party. Isn’t it sad that candidates are mostly judged on what the name of their party is rather than their actual beliefs that will help or harm their voters?

On a similar idea, your idea of working for a think tank sounds really cool! I have no doubt that if you pursue that goal, once you are able, you will achieve something great like that.

I think there is only one feeling I have after reading about your globetrotting: respect. I think the vast majority of people, myself mostly included, would capitulate and just go to university right away. It takes a rare, and probably stubborn, personality to carve your own path :)

What’s the absolute coolest place you visited? I truly wish to know all about it. From your list, it seems like you have so many (and eventually more hopefully?) candidates to choose from!

I really liked that Saint Augustine quote; I was reading his Confessions just a month ago.

For the last six months I have been deeply reading Simone Weil’s writings, and this is perhaps my favorite quote from her:

“Human existence is so fragile a thing and exposed to such dangers that I cannot love without trembling.”

What are your cats names? Are they friends? Maybe enemies? Do they ever get into shenanigans?

I have a Maine Coon cat named Keidi, and she is so sweet. She spends every minute next to me, and she curls up next to my chest every night. I will admit that she is not very bright, though.

Above all, I hope everything goes well for you today, tomorrow, and forever.

Marcus