Destiny Mathis, a 26-year-old single mother of three, wrote to President Obama in November looking for a sign of hope.
She might get a lot more if the handwritten note she received back from Obama sells for the $11,000 it's up for.
Mathis, who lives in Hobart, Ind., graduated top of her college class in 2005 and worked for six years as a surgical technologist. In January, things took a turn for the worse. She lost her job after complications with the birth of her third child, and she can't find work.
"My ultimate goal is to go back to school for nursing," she wrote in the letter to the president. "I am so afraid this dreaded economy is going to have my family homeless."
Mathis is now weeks from being evicted from her apartment.
To her surprise, Obama wrote Mathis back. A handwritten note arrived on White House stationery, offering the hope she needed.
"You have such a positive spirit," Obama wrote. "Please know that things will get better for you and your family."
Mathis is selling Obama's note through Gary Zimet, president of Moments in Time, an online company that has sold eight such letters for between $10,000 and $20,000.
Mathis was torn on selling the letter but thinks it's the right thing to do for her family.
"I really do trust that I'm making the right decision," she said.
