Cards, Letters, and Email
I’ve lost count of the number of letters, cards and emails that I’ve received. I have at times employed someone full time to help me try to respond to folks.
I am always moved by the responses of people to my life story, but I am also very conscious that as Dr. Maya Angelou told me from the very beginning regarding the book and the movie: “This is not even about you. This is the story of every father that ever had to be a mother, every mother that had to be a father, and everybody who ever had a dream and would not quit.” When Dr. Angelou puts something to you like that there’s only one thing to say: “Yes, ma’am.”
Going forward, I will attempt to keep a blog as my travel permits. I’m doing a great deal of international speaking engagements at this time.
I will also, with permission from folks, share my responses to the letters and emails that I continue to receive on a daily basis.
13 Comments
Thank you for the wonderful story of your life that you have shared with all of us. I myself have found myself living a similar life and it is nice to know that you have done it because now I know without a doubt that I can too. Keep inspiring and thank you again!
Its April 5th, 2009 and finally, after months of studying for my college graduation, saw the movie Persuit of Happyness. To say that I was moved is an understatement. I will finally graduate with a BS in Internationl Business in Phoenix Arizona on May 9th after 20 plus years of going to college, for work and then for my degree. I raised my 3 sons (father deceased) and held down a VERY DEMANDING JOB, while dreaming about getting my degree. My final class is International Finance/ foreign currency exchange and I have been challenged but excited for what the future hold for me. Thank you for sharing your story, it took me back to my past, many times over, and encouraged me to keep working at making a better future for myself, my sons and grandchildren. Our childrn are, after all, our Legacy! Thank you for continuing to speak and encourage others in our great land!
truly inspirational!
Any advice as to where I can get some training on how to learn to trade the stock market?
I have been invested via my 401K, an IRA and some Mutual Funds but my advice to you would be to make certain you first have between 6 and 8 months of cash available to you through a local bank. Financial Guru Suzi Ormas’s books all advise this before investing in the market. Otherwise, for starters read a book called The Wealthy Barber, to learn about simple interest, compounded interest and about Mutuals, IRA’s etc. That is a good beginning. Another route is to join an ivestment group. This is a group of people investing together exposing themselves to less risk in a large group setting. Read, read, read… and invest wisely.
First I put a picture of Barack and Michelle up in my office from Inaugration Day and my co-workers just looked and smiled. No comments whatsoever.
I put your picture on my computer screen (black pinstiped suit, white shirt, full body shot) and every bull and cow in this building stops by my office and wants to know who is that on my screen saver!! I have come up with about 10 different answers! They still haven’t figured it out yet. I think I’ll hold a contest.
Funny how some folks react to Black Men.
Wishing you continued success!
President and CEO of the Minnesota Chapter of the Chris Gardner Fan Club
I was wondering if there is a way I can email a question to Mr. Gardner for advice. I’m in a tough financial situation and I wanted to know if he can give me advice. Is this possible?
I am a single father from Baltimore, Md, where I lived alone with my 4 yr. old son that I had custody of since Feb. of 07’. My son’s mother was living in Hanover, PA where she had visitation rights. In May of 2008, my mom suggest that I use craigslist to try to find someone to date, I had only 1 short term relationship in those two years. The typical dating scenes did not work for because of lack of time due to full work and life schedule, so I did (or she said she was going to if I didn’t) Shortly after posting my add I received a reply from Nicole who was in Baltimore from Erie, Pa, for a medical procedure for her 6 yr. old daughter who suffers from a rare condition PFFD (Proximal femoral focal deficiency). Long story short, While in MD we fell in love and decided I decided to move to Erie when her daughter’s procedure was done. After discussion with Ryon’s mother and my family we all agree that Erie was a nice fit for all all of us, we moved on Aug. 31st. Ryon’s mother and I had decided to leave MD’s order in place just follow it in PA, her only concern then was her visitations which I promised and deliverd on would stay the same (in actuality I gave her more, which she used against me to say she had 50/50 custody). Upon arrival I secured daycare and employment, my ex paid half of daycare as ordered in MD custody agreement. No problems arose until March of 09’ when my ex went to the courthouse in York, pa and filed for custody, with no warning to me, we were getting along and as I saw it no problems. First issue that arose with her filing is myself and Ryon had been in Erie for over 6 months, which meant custody should have been there or MD according to federal law Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA) on top of that she falsified all dates and info to sway case her way. In conciliation they change the Maryland visitation schedule which violates Federal Law. Unable to afford an attorney I received legal aide, who’s inability to do her job never raised this issue of jurisdiction, forget to put witnesses on the list at my pre-trial and never added my EXPERT witness report on my son and more for a change of venue hearing that she blew. My aunt being a witness who should have been on list at the change of venue trial saw first hand the lies from my ex and incapable lawyer I had, took a home eq. loan so I could get a real lawyer. Now take in mind I live 7 hours away from the court that is hearing my case, which has NO right to at all by federal law it should have went right back to MD (UCCJA) makes it very diffucult to meet with and put together a case for a trial only days away. So I was told in writing at pre-trial that I can have phone testimony from my landlord and daycare provider in Erie because of the distants and that I can add a witness at trial if need be. We went to trial which was just July 27th-28th and a new judge says no to my phone witness and no to me adding a new witness, while my ex who has no witness on pre-trial list adds who she wants. To top it all off the judge makes off hand remarks about my religious beliefs, personally I thought America land of the free was founded so people could practice religion without persecution, but what do I know. I feel that I have suffered amazing injustice in these courtrooms for the fact that I am male single parent, my religious beliefs and the fact that at the beginning I couldn’t afford to defend my son. Since court I have began an onslaught against the courts writing DA, state reps from both MD and PA and literally anyone I think can help. To top it all off, all the finical problems between Niki’s daughters surgery cost group together with travel expenses along for court are beginning to cripple this family, my family, our family’s. As of today Aug. 1st we have heard no decision from the judge and I don’t care win or lose this needs to be addressed by higher levels and I don’t have the power, money, time, resources etc to fight this properly. This is just a short very short and minimal detail of all that has happened. Please find in your heart to at least hear this whole travesty and help us right a wrong so hopefully no on else will have to ender this struggle like we have!!!!
Help ..I don’t know how to do this but I’m in a critical situaution. My dad gave me house that is paid for but the property tax are like 10 years behind, not due to me due to my older brother and his wife stayed here and never payed taxes. They seperated and divorced so my brother allowed her to stay here under the conditon that she would pay the taxes every year. She lied. She has these taxes so strewed up and the city wants to take the house. I don’t want to loose the house for 16,000 dollars. I tried to make arrangements with the property tax attorney but they make the payments very unaffordable. Every time I start making payments I get behind with my other obligations. I have 2 kids and I’m in school I work its just I have more bills then money..I know you probably thinking cut back on your bills. but I can’t. I need food,lights,water,gas,telephone,car, insurance. Please help me. This is not a fake, prank or a scheme.. I work just business is bad so therefore money is slow and low.
In dire need,
LaShonda Wright
P.s. I don’t want the money sent directly to me you can send it directly to property taw
Help ..I don’t know how to do this but I’m in a critical situaution. My dad gave me house that is paid for but the property tax are like 10 years behind, not due to me due to my older brother and his wife stayed here and never payed taxes. They seperated and divorced so my brother allowed her to stay here under the conditon that she would pay the taxes every year. She lied. She has these taxes so strewed up and the city wants to take the house. I don’t want to loose the house for 16,000 dollars. I tried to make arrangements with the property tax attorney but they make the payments very unaffordable. Every time I start making payments I get behind with my other obligations. I have 2 kids and I’m in school I work its just I have more bills then money..I know you probably thinking cut back on your bills. but I can’t. I need food,lights,water,gas,telephone,car, insurance. Please help me. This is not a fake, prank or a scheme.. I work just business is bad so therefore money is slow and low.
In dire need,
LaShonda Wright
P.s. I don’t want the money sent directly to me you can send it directly to property taw lawyers.
Perdue, Brackett,Flores, Utt&Burns;
307 W 7th Street STE 1225
Fort Worth,Texas 76102
make payable to Tax Assessor Acct# 01230484 E wright for $3700.00 or whatever your heart desires everything helps.
LinebargerGoggan Blair &Sampson;
100 Throckmorton STE 300
Fort Worth, Tx 76102
make payable to Tax Assessor Acct# 01230484 E wright for $12,000.00 or whatever your heart desires everything helps.
Thank you again I don’t want us to be homeless can you please pass the message along.
Dear Mr. Gardner;
I didn’t realize that the movie, “In The Pursuit of Happyness” was a real story, but I have to tell you that I think you are one amazing man. Just watching the movie inspired me today to work harder and to be a better person. Thank you, sir, for allowing your incredible story to be told.
Mr.Garner
I sorry for my english,I m 47 years old father with 2 beaful doughters. All my life worked very hard but until now i can’t have my dream , my owe bussines . How I can get loan for buy bussines if now i dont have job and i move to mexico tijuana because i dont have to pay rent a house.
Thankyou for be a amazing human.
Señor gardner es usted una persona digna de admirar y que todo lo logro gracias a sus esfuerzos y que nunca se dio por vencido lo felicito y me alegra que en su búsqueda de la felicidad la halla encontrado