It’s hard to articulate what it’s like to email my father without a response. After I sent it, the director emailed back and said she would deliver it sometime during the day, but I don’t want her to feel like she has to respond to me. I know she is busy with so many matters and don’t want to be a burden. But yet.. I wonder. What does he say when they deliver the letter? How many times does he read it? Is he asking them to write back?
It’s interesting to observe how people are resorting to letter writing again during the virus. A very creative teacher started a Snail Mail movement, as she termed it. I applaud her creativity and feel inspired by it. Another friend on Facebook asked for people to mail letters to a person I taught with in northern Michigan. My cousin posted her mother’s address and asked people to send cards since she is deaf and is restricted from visitors. It reminds me of the importance of teaching letter writing to students!
While at Dutton, the first graders became penpals with first graders at Lafayette Christian. I usually placed the received letters on their desks while they were learning in a different classroom. You would have thought they received gold! Students either kept them in a folder or took them home. No recycling of these precious papers!
Whatever the form- texting, emailing, phoning, or Snail Mail– we need to stay connected!
A Journey Worth Remembering 