Dear Friends,
You can imagine what it was like for me to get this letter in the mail.
I hope you get goosebumps, or get teary,
or have a lump in your throat when you read this.
Dear Jennie,
Happy new year. How are you? Is Gloria at school or at home? I want to tell you about Amazon Rainforest. There is an ocelot cat in the Rainforest. There is also a snake in the Rainforest. I got lots gifts for my birthday and had lots of fun with my friends. I am six years old! Your pen pal.
This is an incredibly long letter, with many words and alphabet letters for a kindergartner to write. He just turned six. I imagine it was a very difficult task, yet (the magic word) a labor of love. Isn’t that what drives success and helps us grow? When we love someone, or love something, or just love what we do, that propels us forward and ‘fills us up’. My pen pal does that for me. It’s the power of ‘yet’.
To my pen pal:
Your friendship is deep.
Your writing is strong.
Your letters to me are priceless.
I am so glad you are my pen pal.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
absolutely a joy in every word, and priceless. you know what it took write that all out, and the connection that child must feel to you. beautiful way to start my day
Yes, all the way around, Beth. You said it well.❤️
Fantastic, Jennie!
Thank you, GP.
Very impressive writing, Jennie. It’s filled with love, too.
Yes, and yes!
Oh how lovely Jennie! What a blessing!
Thank you, FR!
What a wonderful gift to receive, Jennie. I can just imagine the feeling, “I want to write Jennie.”
Awww… thank you, Dan.
❤
Fabulous!!
Thank you.
What an amazing experience your Pen Pal had in the Rainforest and how beautiful that it was shared with you in a letter. An Ocelot and Snake sightings! WOW! Plus he asked about Gloria!!
I love your poem in reply. 😍 I’ll have a smile on face as I carry this happy greeting with me on my walk.
He certainly enjoyed sharing what he learned about the Rainforest. I hope he gets there one day. Yes, he asked about Gloria!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Deborah. Thank you!.
That is amazing. I appreciated the translation. I’m not as tuned in as I once was to K handwriting!
It took me a while to catch all the words! Yes, it is amazing. Thank you, Jacqui.
How incredibly special!! That must have made your day.
Yes, and yes! Thank you, Darlene!
📝
Jennie, this is precious and so heart-warming. The wonder of correspondence, which sadly fewer than ever practice, here undertaken with such love and care, so much to tell share with you. It’s a joy to see this and he will be thrilled by your response. Just perfect!
You said it well with ‘the wonder of correspondence’. It is a powerful thing and leaves its memories with the writers. I am overjoyed to make a connection, with love and care. Thank you, Annika.
Just delightful, Jennie. I am guessing it left you ‘watery-eyed’.
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes, it did! ❤️
This is such a beautiful letter, penned with such thought and I can imagine the concentration it took to write .. No wonder it brought tears of Joy..
Loved your reply … Hugs xx ❤
I knew the time and concentration it must have taken to write this letter. Yes, it is beautiful, and stars shined along with my tears of joy. ❤️
Wonderful… ❤ ❤
What a beautiful letter and, more importantly, what a beautiful connection. Thanks for sharing this gem with us.
Yes, the letter and connection are beautiful. I’m glad you see this as a gem. Here’s my hope: When he graduates from high school, I will present him with all his pen pal letters wrapped in a bow. Hopefully, there will be many more to come. Thank you, John.
I hope there are many more too, Jennie.
Connections like that make me believe in Hope.
My goodness, that is just wonderful. Hope is everything.
That was just wonderful, Jennie. What a prized possession. So much excitement to share with you. 🙂
Thank you, Diana. Yes, this is definitely a prized possession. I can feel your excitement. 😀
I was a pen pal for a little while with neighbor kid a few years ago. We practically lived next door to each other, but we sent letters back and forth. It was totally exciting for both of us.
I know we’ve discussed this many times before, but there are few better feelings than getting a letter from a past student. Your pen pal thinks highly enough of you he wants you to know what is going on in his life. I know you’ll answer, and your connection will continue to grow.
Spot on, Pete! Getting handwritten letters from students is one of the best experiences for a teacher. Of course it has to be one of the best experiences for the student to write that letter, especially when it includes his ‘life’. I will answer, and hopefully our pen pal letters will continue for a long time.
Such a sweet relationship and an opportunity for both of you to learn about each other’s worlds.
Thank you!
Awwww!
❤️
A very heartwarming post. It’s wonderful that children are still hand-writing letters to pen pals. I love that your pen pal asked after Gloria right away!
I was struck that he asked about Gloria! Yes, handwritten letters have far more meaning than typing. This warmed my heart, too. I am saving every letter, and when he graduates from high school, I will present him with the letters, wrapped in a bow.
Oh, he will be thrilled to get such a gift at his high school graduation!
So beautiful.
Thank you.
So incredibly beautiful Jennie. Both you and this amazing child.
Thank you, Cindy.
Relationship and inspiration – the cornerstones of education.
Beautifully said, Opher.
I find that blogging reminds me of the days I had pen pal as a child. I loved your letter.
I’m glad this reminded you of your childhood pen pal days. Thank you for loving the letter and sharing your memories, Elizabeth.
It’s wonderful to have a pen pal. I have one that we’ve written to each other regularly since we were ten years old. Thanks for sharing this beautiful exchange, Jennie. Hugs.
Lucky you! Thank you, Teagan.
A wonderful letter, Jennie. A priceless treasure.
Yes, it is a priceless treasure. Thank you, Robbie.
Absolutely delightful, and truly priceless.
Thank you.
Excellent Jennie. A wonderful blessing 😊😊😊
Thank you, Kamal.
Welcome Jennie 😊
Cute and sweet and thoughtful. What a lovely letter.
Thanks, Ally!
What a wonderful gift, and honor, Jennie! He was also asking for Gloria. Lol You should consider making some smaller duplicates of her, also for merchandising purposes. 🙂 Best wishes, Michael
It really was an honor to receive this letter. Priceless! I was touched when he asked about Gloria. You have great ideas! 😀
Absolutely fantastic
Thank you.
Love