The idea behind my Frabjous Friday posts is to share something joyful–or at least something that will make you smile. Today’s post was a very joyful moment in my life, and I’d like to share it with you. It happened 17 years ago almost to the day. It’s a little longer than my typical Friday post, but I hope you’ll find it worth your time.
Back when I taught high school English, my freshman class read To Kill a Mockingbird as one of our core novels. I loved that book as a student, and I treasured it as a teacher. So many layers to explore and think about all delivered in a wonderfully descriptive and even suspenseful way. There was no greater joy for me as a teacher than to see a student come alive within the pages of a book, and Ms. Lee’s one and only published novel kindled that time and again.
One of the activities that we did after reading it was to send notes to Harper Lee. The first time I did this and told the kids we were really going to send the letters, they were stunned. Really? In junior high they did the activity frequently, and it was just for “pretend,” as they called it. I told them why wouldn’t we send them when she is still around to receive them? This made them take their own words a little more seriously. A real author–one whose work many had grown to care for–would be reading it, after all!
I showed them all how I put their letters into a big manila envelope and addressed it to “Harper Lee, Monroeville, Alabama” with the proper zip code. Since Harper Lee was a recluse, this was the best I could do. I figured the town knew her whereabouts.
The first year’s letter writing experience had been positive enough that I did it again the next year, with much the same response from the students. As a teacher, it was satisfying to know that the kids realized their words were being delivered. It mattered.
I just didn’t know it mattered to Ms. Lee, too.
One day, a few weeks after the second batch of letters had been sent, I went to my teacher’s mailbox. Inside was an envelope the size of a thank you card, and I could see that the return address had “Monroeville, AL” written on it. My hands started to tremble. Was it possible that one of the nation’s great authors had written back to us?
Why, yes. Yes she did.
I couldn’t believe it. How kind she was to let my students (and me!) know that she had read every letter with “great care and enjoyment.” My students were giddy with excitement–and it’s not often you see 14-year-olds giddy about anything. It was a tremendous validation for them–and for me as an educator. Words matter. Thought matters. Kindness matters.
I hope my former students think back on that experience with joy. I know I do. Ms. Lee’s letter still graces my office and makes me smile every time I see it.
17 years ago Harper Lee wished me and my students a Happy New Year. How cool is that?
Happy New Year to all of you, too!
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view–until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” ~Atticus Finch
thejugglestruggle.net 
I remember this!! I still have a copy of that letter in my TKAM file!!
Took the English Department by storm for a while, didn’t it? 🙂 Fond memories. Thanks for the comment, Kath!
I remember that letter – I didn’t see it in person until now- therefore I can rest assured that it was not an urban legend !
Lol, Karen…the urban legend has been verified! Btw…I heard someone was here to sew the quilty… 😉
I remember this story and still relay it to my colleagues from time to time. What a cherished experience. Thanks for sharing a picture of the actual letter. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you, too…maybe it’s one where we will see each other’s faces??
I hated English class in high school (sorry), as well as most other classes (that was just me at the time). To Kill a Mockingbird was one of books I can count on a single hand that I read for school and really enjoyed. Great movie too! That’s super cool!
Thanks! English class is often a love or hate proposition, and I had plenty who needed encouragement in seeing how much the world opens with good literature. I had students come up to me in private and share that this was the first book they ever really read, and how much they enjoyed it…and maybe they might read another book…Those were big victories in my teacher world!
Amazing! I loved this story so much. What a treasure you have in that letter!!
It is a treasure indeed. I hold it very dear to my heart for several reasons. Thanks for the read and comment, Heather!