I sent a letter

Introduction

When I was seven years old, my teacher assigned a project that involved writing a letter to a family member or friend. My mother, who worked at the county jail at the time, suggested that I write to an inmate who rarely received mail. Inspired by her suggestion, I poured my heart into the letter, expressing my sympathy for their situation and wishing them well for the future. I signed the letter in my charming seven-year-old scrawl.

As I was completing the letter, I realized I needed to put a return address on the envelope. My older brother, eager to help, provided me with an address that I had never heard of: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC. Unbeknownst to me, this was the address of the White House. I hastily wrote it down, placed the letter in the outgoing mail, and didn’t think anything of it.

Years later, while picking up my mother from work, I was met with unexpected laughter. One of her co-workers called me "Mr. President." Puzzled, I asked why, and they revealed the story of the letter I had sent to the inmate years earlier. It had become a running joke at the jail, with my mom sharing the tale every time she mentioned me. That was the moment I learned I had unwittingly become a little legend at the county jail, all because I naively believed I lived in the White House.

Keywords

• Letter
• Inmate
• County Jail
• Childhood
• Misunderstanding
• White House
• Running Joke
• Mr. President

FAQ

What was the assignment given to the author in school? The author was assigned to write a letter to a family member or friend.

Who suggested that the author write to an inmate? The author's mother, who worked at the county jail, suggested writing to an inmate who rarely received mail.

What address did the author mistakenly put on the letter? The author mistakenly put the address 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC, which is the address of the White House.

What nickname did the author's mother’s co-worker use when they met years later? The co-worker called the author "Mr. President" as a reference to the letter sent to the inmate.

How did the letter become a running joke at the county jail? The author's mother shared the story of the letter whenever she talked about her child, thereby making it a humorous anecdote at the jail.