Ed Heights, Mrs. Eichorn, and The Written Word

When I was in first grade at Edmonson Heights Elementary School, my teacher was Mrs. Eichorn. She wore dresses and blue mascara to work every day, kept her dark hair in a sort of 70's beehive bun, and hugged each of us as we entered her classroom. I loved Mrs. Eichorn as only a 7 year old boy can love his astonishingly beautiful first grade teacher. Halcyon days.

When first grade ended, I gave Mrs. Eichorn a parting gift as a token of my 7 year old boy love. I imagine it was some sort of god-awful costume jewelry, probably a pin or something, though I don't remember now. Mrs. Eichorn, being the good teacher and kind soul she was, sent me a Thank You note on June 20, 1973. I still have that card:

The hand written note or letter is increasingly anachronistic. At the risk of sounding curmudgeonly, I think this is one of the most tragic consequences of technology's ubiquity. I get it. It's easy to send an email or text. And who even has cards these days? Or decent stationary? Not many, I'm sure. But I'll still take paper and pen over pixels six days a week and twice on Sunday.

Mrs. Eichorn sent this note to me in 1973. It probably took her two minutes, if that, to write. And yet, forty-six years later when I read those words from her, I still feel loved and affirmed. That is the power of the written word.

When I take that card from Mrs. Eichorn out of my desk drawer at home and hold it, I can imagine her hands holding it forty-six years ago. I can trace the teacher-neat print of her handwriting. It is a tangible reminder of the intangible truth that someone cared about my rambunctious, smelly, wild-eyed, seven-year old self all those years ago. That care mattered to me then. It matters to me still.

I don't think there's any chance I'll have an email or text forty-six years from now that makes me feel the way this card does. If taking a few minutes of your time to hand write a card or letter could do for another person what this card does for me, wouldn't it be worth it?

I hope you'll consider who in your life might appreciate a card or note from you this week. Maybe a spouse. Maybe a child. Maybe a sibling or a friend or a neighbor. Maybe a colleague. Your written words, a tangible reminder of your love and care for that person, will remain far longer than you might imagine. Decades, even. Never underestimate the power of the written word.

And I love you too, Mrs. Eichorn. Still.