Dec. 6, 1963
Houston, Texas
Dear Mrs. Kennedy,
I am ten years old. When I saw them moving President Kennedy’s rocking chairs out of the White House, a great sadness entered my heart.
You made such a beautiful collection of treasures from other Presidents of the United States. Do you think you could find it in your heart to leave one of President Kennedy’s rockers for children my age to remember him by.
I will always remember him laughing and talking with touring children and dignitaries alike, seated in his rocking chair, and most of all I remember his solemn and determined look as he sat pondering the terrible decision he must make in the Cuban crises.
Someday, I hope to be able to visit our beautiful White House and see all the wonderful treasures you have collected from Presidents of past generations, but please leave this one very personal treasure of a young president of our generation, so that one day I may run my hand over the wooden arms, and borrow for a moment a little of the courage and vigor of this our youthful 35th President of the United States of America.
May our Lord’s Birthday and the New Year bring peace and comfort to you, Caroline, and little John.
Respectfully,
Suzan Elizabeth Lane
Rt. S, Box 426
Houston 24, Texas
P.S. Please tell Caroline I wrote a poem for my English class about my horse, Silver, and her house, Maccaroni.
Read another letter to the first lady here.
