UF PRISM

The inside of Sandy’s house is speckled in purple. She has curated a collection of purple art pieces in shades of lavender to mulberry. Photos of children, weddings, holidays and family in myriad stages of life line her walls, contained in purple frames. Purple flowers, real and faux, line her counters.

Historically, purple is associated with royalty and luxury because of its scarce appearance in nature, so I find Sandy’s choice of favorite color a bit ironic: She may be royal in spirit, but never in ego. Her character is indubitably humble, generous and pleasantly quirky.

In 2024, Sandy interviewed me regarding my role on a nonprofit board, and after that, we formed an unlikely friendship. Our email correspondence evolved into playing a friendly game of Scrabble over pancakes piled with whipped cream for brunch. Now, I consider Sandy somewhat of my “adopted grandmother,” a beautiful addition to my life and someone who makes me feel seen, loved and understood. Conducting this interview with her serves as a full-circle moment for us. Sandy is one of the strongest people I know, not only in her battle with cancer but also in her values and consistent kindness toward all people—evident by what she dedicates her work towards: empowering communities.

On Sandy’s wall hangs one of her old license plates reading “EDUK8R.” Not only was she once an elementary school teacher but she also continues to educate me in every conversation we have. I hope you find her as charming as I do. Sandy Chase is a writer, poet, mentor and nonprofit volunteer. She is originally from New York, and now resides in the Sarasota-Manatee area, where she engages with the community.

LUKA PERRY: Can you tell me about your journey as a writer?

SANDY CHASE: If we don’t include writing letters to my children’s teachers; grocery list, school essays, study notes; and writing on the chalkboard, whether as a past fifth grade teacher, or GED, SAT, GRE and ESOL instructor; my journey began in earnest once I joined the Central Intelligence Agency and wrote for one of their newsletters and edited others’ writing. I would give you more information. But I can’t guarantee you that I can protect your life! With the exception of STOP signs and other traffic notices, my journey has been unimpeded by drafting poems, acronyms and interviews. From time to time, I stop to smell the roses and drink from the fountain of knowledge. I also knock on the door of one of my valued friends from my Katherine Gibbs days in order to exchange three gratitudes daily. When my grandkids were younger, we wrote raps, poems and plays based on my favorite writer, Dr. Seuss, and their favorite Amelia Bedelia stories. I also invite my grandchildren to collaborate while on my literary voyage: I follow their lives by jotting down their experiences in my Legacy, a compendium of memories. When I retired in 2023 and relocated to Sarasota-Manatee, I began writing as a volunteer for the community newsletter and various national and community nonprofit organizations. My loose-leaf binders fill my bookcase, so I don’t have to schlep them on my eye-opening journey. So long as there’s ink in the printer cartridge, there will be words on my pages. I am brainstorming with someone from the Women’s Resource Center in order to help her realize her dream of writing a nonfiction book about her relationship with her mom.

LUKA PERRY: When you think about your younger self, what do you think would surprise her most about the person you became?

SANDY CHASE: Cancer has changed my inclination toward friends. While I was struggling with school, determined to ace my subjects, friends were an impediment. Now they mean everything to me. My social calendar includes Googling, Zooming, calling, texting and emailing those whom I care about.
Also, I don’t care that I wear a size ten shoe. While dating, I would cramp my toes into a size seven. Also, I no longer slump. Cancer has convinced me to stand up tall — and fight the enemy on my terms.

LUKA PERRY: What is something you wrote that truly mattered to you?

SANDY CHASE: Last year, I wrote a tribute to my mother, may she rest in peace, that I say for her birthday and during the Jewish New Year. Connecting with her is something I failed to do while she was alive. I now update her about her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

LUKA PERRY: How do you deal with challenges?

SANDY CHASE: Challenges are the seeds of living. As I have mentioned, I face challenges head-on. If I am going to use EXCUSES, it’s when I
think of Energy, Xenophilia, Comraderie, Understanding, Serenity, Excitement, and Stanzas.

LUKA PERRY: What do you think makes life feel rich and meaningful?

SANDY CHASE: Besides connecting with friends and family, I participate in a clinical trial to destroy my adversary and help others which gives meaning to my life. As a guinea pig, I want to provide doctors and researchers with knowledge to help others in the “pigpen.” Being a volunteer, whether as a past mentor, current community nonprofit writer and/or evaluator of plays for Florida Studio Theatre, a community theatre, makes me rich — and I don’t
have to pay taxes on these riches. But my biggest source of wealth is protecting my health through writing acronyms (I call myself AI for Acronym Interpreter) and, more importantly, continuing to write stanzas for my current
poem, “Cancer Has Changed Me—for the Better.” I thrive on creativity.

LUKA PERRY: Do you have a favorite quote?

SANDY CHASE: It’s difficult to choose one quote. Although not quote per se, my mantra is “I am retired, not expired.”

The following are others’ quotes:
● No cuentes los días, haz que los días cuenten.” – Muhammad Ali

“Don’t count the days. Make the days count.
● El éxito llega cuando sigues. “Success comes when you persist.” –Anonymous

LUKA PERRY: Do you think the way people connect has changed over time — or do we still seek the same things, just in new ways?

SANDY CHASE: I’m at loss to answer accurately because I’m still living in the 20th century—before the onslaught of technology. The one positive about the 21st-century population is that children continue to amass knowledge way beyond their years, so long as they continue to relate to others. Simply calling someone on a home phone or visiting face-to-face is a thing of the past. The cellphone has become paramount. I see this when I visit the Fish Tank, the Florida Cancer Specialists’ “home” for chemotherapy and other medical endeavors. If patients aren’t sleeping, they’re mesmerized by their cell phones. I just hope that computers don’t become extinct like dinosaurs, for the sake of my typing speed.

LUKA PERRY: What is the significance of the color purple to you?

SANDY CHASE: Since I’ve started volunteering, I’ve learned that two nonprofits I highlight:

(1) JoshProvides, a community epilepsy foundation, and (2) Mothers Helping Mothers, another local organization, have purple in their logo. Clients served by JoshProvides are known as “Purple Warriors.”
Purple is the blending of colors blue and red: blue for calmness, trust, wisdom and stability; red, passion, love, courage and stability.

LUKA PERRY: What has been the most significant part of your involvement with the nonprofit world?

SANDY CHASE: “Treat others as you would like them to treat you” is key: helping others goes two ways. Sometimes I feel like a leech because I live off spotlighting others, fostering nonprofits. I am enlivened because I’m multiplying friends exponentially. Helping others achieve their goals rewards me.

LUKA PERRY: Can you give a piece of advice to the college-age readers?

SANDY CHASE: Book knowledge is only a piece of the pie. To enjoy your life, enhance your dessert. You’ve worked — and continue to do so — to get where you are. Experience will also bolster your life. Add some whipped cream and dark-chocolate chips, which are particularly significant in boosting white blood cells. Enjoy!

In reflection, as the interviewer, I urge you to seek connections with others.
Act and communicate without judgment. We all feel the same ache to be heard. Sandy and I have proved that friendship can be born across boundaries of age or any other identity. So put down your phone when you’re in line at the grocery store and strike up a conversation with the person in front of you. Recognize the value of your own voice, and go out of your way to be inclusive, kind and understanding. There are few things more important and rewarding than the connections we form in this lifetime. And if all else fails, remember Sandy’s final wisdom: Life is always better with dessert. So go out, make a friend and don’t forget to save room for a little sweetness along the way.