In the beginning of the school year, Lev and Eugene had written a letter to an old friend named Asha from their old school. After waiting 8 months, she finally wrote back! There was absolute sheer joy when we told Eugene and Lev that they had a piece of mail.
Lev: It was a really long time! It feels good!
Eugene: It was long!
They opened and saw all the drawings, photos, and notes for them inside. They were excited to receive something and instantly wanted to send her something back.
Eugene: These pictures have our old school – Sandy’s Place!
Lev- Oh yeah! That’s Sandy’s Place. I feel happy!
Eugene: Same with me!
Lev: I want to send something back. I need scissors so I can cut her a heart… and I want to make her a lot of pictures like she did.
Eugene: I’m not cutting mine out. I’m coloring and I want to write, “I love you Asha… and Dear Asha.”
They spent their morning appointment making something to send to Asha. Lev cut out 5 hearts, drew a picture on each one and then taped them together to form a flower. Eugene asked Lev to help draw a heart, which he colored in. Both wanted to write, “Dear Asha, I love you.” Lev wants Asha to send something back again, so she added an additional note that said. “Please write back.”
Then they wrote their names, NSW’s return address and Asha’s name and address on a manila envelope and asked if they could share at Reflection Meeting.
At Reflection Meeting many questions were asked about how they made their creations for Asha.
Then Libbi asked: Why did you write to Asha?
Lev responded with: Because I love her.
Ren was then able to recall hearing Lev talk about Asha often. Staying connected with those we love is a poignant and precious act. Being that letter writing is such a popular task already at the Communication Center, it’s all the more rewarding and meaningful when the correspondence is reciprocated. Especially the thrill of receiving something in the mail! Will this inspire other children to mail letters outside of the usual notes they write amongst each other and their parents? – Teacher Melanie