1
4/9/90
The parents of Ryan White
I am sorry I can't find a better way to head this letter, I hope you will forgive me that. I'm Fred [redacted] a future writer who sent you a poem on the third of April. Although I have writen other poems about Ryan since, I do not think this would be the time to give them to you Over the pat two days I'm sure that words of comfort have not been very soothing to you, but I'm going to give you mine anyway. I'm not sure if you'll get to read them tho, if I were in your place I think that I'd have a nice large letter fire going now. At any rate here's my comforting words, it is a quote said by Batman of his late wife, as stated in "THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #179":
"Her death was pointless, tragic... but I have long since given up trying to find meaning in death. The meaning is in life, not death... and Selina's life was as full of meaning it was of love, and spirit, and courage, AND when my time comes to join her... I would only hope the same could be said of me."
It is now your job, without neglecting Ryan's sister, to make sure that Ryan name doesn't just pass in to the dustypages of a history textbook. It is my personal hope that will be more original than to simply attach his name to AIDS research or on to a scholarship.
2
AIDS, like Polio will not always be a problem. There will, however, always be some sort of problem or bigotry surrounding school systems. But, whatever you do, it is none of my affair.
I expect that several people will write more biographys and documentarys about Ryan. I know that I am planning to do a fictional novel about his story. Unfortunatly, I have trouble finishing the books once I'm in the first-draft stage (It is currently near the end of my planning stage). At present I am considering changing the name of the Ryan character, tho.
Being seventeen, I understand the tragedy of your loss, and the joy of your gain. I wish to apologize for any painful memory I may have revived in either of my two letters.
Have a meaningful life.
Sincerely, Fred [redacted] Jr. [redacted] [redacted] N.C. [redacted]
