Since Aspen Kelly can't travel the world right now, her mom decided to bring the world to her.
Aspen is turning 13 on Sept. 1, but because she is receiving treatment for leukemia, she can't leave Oklahoma. Her mother, Vanessa Kelly, went on Facebook and asked her friends if they'd send Aspen postcards from wherever they are in the world, hoping that she'd at least get one from every state. Kelly posted this in July, and by mid-August, the message had been shared more than 1,000 times. Kelly set up a P.O. box for the postcards, and has already received more than 1,000 postcards from all 50 states and 49 countries, she told CBS News.
Kelly was shocked when she turned over one colorful postcard from Greece and saw that it was signed by Tom Hanks. She said she wasn't convinced it was really from the actor, but was certain after she determined he was in Greece when the postcard was sent, and compared the handwriting to a fan letter posted online. Hanks wrote, "I hope this arrives in time for your happy 13th birthday! Love you."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Donald Trump’s week in Asia: can he shift power away from China?Today's Big Question US president’s whirlwind week of diplomacy aims to bolster economic ties and de-escalate trade war with China
-
The Icelandic women’s strike 50 years onIn The Spotlight The nation is ‘still no paradise’ for women, say campaigners
-
Mall World: why are people dreaming about a shopping centre?Under The Radar Thousands of strangers are dreaming about the same thing and no one sure why
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
