Anyone want to guess which President had a middle name that was only one letter?
Take a guess?
No one knows?
The answer is Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States. His parents wanted to honor both sets of grandfathers whose names started with “S” so they compromised and gave their son the single letter.
But this article isn’t about Truman—it’s about a hobby that I had growing up-- collecting autographed pictures of famous people.
And while I collected signed photographs of John Wayne, Willie Mays, Bear Bryant and others ... President Harry S. Truman tops my list.
Just think!
A former president of our nation fulfilled a request by a teenage boy to send a letter and an autographed picture!
But the photograph taught me something far more valuable than collecting autographs ever could: it doesn’t matter who you are or what position you hold—be kind to people.
A famous adult can leave a lifelong impression on a child simply by taking a few moments to answer a letter.
President Truman, though retired at the time, could have refused my request.
He could’ve said “Sorry, I don’t have time,” or “That’s something I don’t do.”
But instead, he took time to write his name, “S” and all, on a black and white picture and mail it to my address.
What Truman mailed those many years ago was more than an autographed photo -- he mailed “kindness” to a young boy.
I doubt President Truman ever imagined that one small act of kindness would still be teaching lessons decades later.
The day that envelope arrived, I carefully opened it. Inside was a black-and-white photograph with one unmistakable signature: Harry S. Truman. I wasn't just holding a picture. I was holding proof that someone the whole country knew had taken time for one unknown teenage boy.
That photograph reminds me that greatness isn't measured by titles or fame. It's measured by how you make ordinary people feel.
I know, you’re probably thinking that Harry S. Truman was a politician and that’s what politicians do--excel in public relations.
But keep in mind, this photo was sent years after he had left the White House. He didn’t need votes any longer.
One day your grandchildren probably won't remember every present you bought them. But they'll remember the moments when you made them feel important. That's what President Truman unknowingly did for me, and that's what every grandparent has the opportunity to do every week.
Have an object with a story behind it? As a Grandparent Pass member, you can request a custom object lesson built around it — up to two a month.
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