Dear Danny,
First please accept my apologies for the tardiness of this note.
I have had computer problems this entire year and in them the loss of information was substantial. Your address was one of those that I lost. Today, as I was perusing a Camaro site, First Camaro ever built and restored, I had a thought that has worked. If I were literate on this internet stuff I would have thought of this many months back. Anyway, my name is Margaret Erickson and just before Christmas last year my son Michael contacted you about a car photo with a picture of his brother in it. Not having any idea what it was for, they asked for a picture of Chip which I e-mailed them PDQ as requested. I only had two in my computer and I sent them his graduation picture. I was told that wouldn’t work, what else do you have? So I sent them the one that I had gotten off my God Daughters Facebook page. They told me thank you, that will work. At that point I forgot about the entire incident and got on with getting ready for bed as it was late in the evening and I’m getting old. You can only imagine my surprise when I opened that on Christmas morning. I did notice that the entire room got quiet and everyone was looking at me and a couple of cameras at the ready. They had taken an 8 x 10 of the picture and put it in a floating type frame with a silver metal edge and it was absolutely gorgeous. I cried.
They wanted me to be able to have some input on the choice of frames for the 16 x 20. It is the most amazing picture and I just love it. I have never been so moved by a picture or a gift in my whole life. The job that you did on that project is absolutely perfect. You are, without a doubt an amazing talent. As I recall it was around the 20th of December when they called for a picture so to have done the work and gotten it back to them before Christmas is nothing short of miraculous. I posted it on my Facebook page last June 4th. The anniversary of his death. I was truly unprepared for the responses that I got. I heard from so very many of his friends. He is very well remembered by many besides just his family. Even after 37 years it’s still pretty fresh to a parent. The loss of a child is the worst thing that can happen to you. It doesn’t go away, you just learn how to handle it better.
Your effort brought me many hours of pleasure. Looking at that picture is a comforting moment for me. I thank you for all of that time. I do appreciate what you did. It means a great deal to me. The framed one that was wrapped for Christmas is in Michael’s office and I’m sure that most everyone has asked him about it. As we approach another holiday season I want to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know that as I recall the things I am Thankful for Danny Whitfield will be on the list. May your Christmas holidays be a joyful gathering of Family and Friends as you Celebrate the Reason for the Season. Again, my sincere thanks and appreciation for the job you have done. God Bless.
Most Sincerely, Margaret Marge