MARCH ISSUE 2026
"We lived in a small adobe home, warm in the winter and blistering in the summer. My mother, Isabel, was a seamstress; my father, Mateo, repaired roofs and fences. Neither of them had much schooling, but they taught us through stories about our ancestors, about
crossing . . ."
"My name is Eleanor Mae Thompson, and I entered this world on a cold winter morning—February 2, 1943—in Lawrence, Kansas. My mother always said I was born “with my eyes wide open,” and maybe that was because I was always curious,
always watching . . ."
"I wanted to take some time to share what has mattered most to me in my life: the experiences that shaped me, the values I tried to live by, and the kind of person I hope I’ve been. I’m 73 years old. I grew up in a small town in Connecticut with what you might
call an . . ."
"Growing up wasn’t easy. Money was scarce, opportunities scarcer, but we made do. We had Sunday dinners with cornbread, greens, potatoes and whatever meat we could stretch to feed everyone. The neighborhood kids were loud, creative, competitive, and always
outside until . . ."
OUR POLICY ON LETTERS AND ANONYMITY
Our goal is to uplift patient voices, regardless of their opinions. While some readers may disagree with what is being said, Letter Without Limits aims to highlight authentic patient voices, even if they might not be aligned with our personal values as an organization. Before release, all Legacy Letters are reviewed by a faculty advisory committee.
ANONYMOUS LEGACY LETTERS
- Locations are generalized to the city level or broader and altered when necessary to protect anonymity.
- Workplaces and other identifiable locations are anonymized unless they are widely recognized.
SIGNED LEGACY LETTERS
- Family names are excluded when they have not provided consent.
- All other names are initialized to maintain privacy.
