These letters are so deeply human. They are filled with family, pets, hobbies, community and an overwhelming sense of kindness. pic.twitter.com/pPYI4EGp3z
— Hugh Weber (@hughweber) May 4, 2020
He says what they saw was the power of human connection — something we need now, more than ever before.
“Because Em was fully vulnerable, they were too. Em shared jokes, so they shared jokes. Em share[d] her brother, so every gift that was sent came in duplicate. Em shared @TaylorSwift13 and it turns out that the US Postal service is filled with lots of undercover Swifties.”
One maintenance manager from Minnesota wanted to inspire her to start collecting stamps so he sent along two stamps of his own from the bulletin board in his office to start her collection. pic.twitter.com/i11Knejecc
— Hugh Weber (@hughweber) May 4, 2020
He continued, “One maintenance manager from Minnesota wanted to inspire her to start collecting stamps so he sent along two stamps of his own from the bulletin board in his office to start her collection.”
Many others sent Emerson stamps to use for her letters. She had counted 218 so far.
And, they sent stamps to be used as well. Stamps for her to write back. Stamps for her to write others. Stamps, stamps, stamps. (218 by Em’s count.) pic.twitter.com/7mkXKWOR73
— Hugh Weber (@hughweber) May 4, 2020
Hugh says the letters held something more than just words on a page. Because of one 11-year-old’s intentionality, “people felt seen — some for the first time in a long time.”
One wrote,
“I can’t tell you how much it means to read your letter…”Another,
“I have a son in Kuwait and if you have a second to send him a letter he would love it.”And another,
“I know you can’t write back to all of us, but maybe I can drop you a line from time to time?”— Hugh Weber (@hughweber) May 4, 2020
So after reading through all of the letters, Hugh says Emerson “did what she does best.”
“She wrote the dad. She wrote his son. She assured the secret swifties not to be embarrassed because her dad likes TSwift, too. She acknowledged that there WERE a lot of letter but that she had time. She sees them all.”
With dozens of new pen pals, Em did what she does best.
She wrote the dad.
She wrote his son.
She assured the secret swifties not to be embarrassed because her dad likes TSwift, too.
She acknowledged that there WERE a lot of letter but that she had time.
She sees them all. pic.twitter.com/FOs6ghIJLz— Hugh Weber (@hughweber) May 4, 2020
Hugh says he didn’t share the now-viral thread because he’s a proud dad, but rather, because we all have the power to create joy the way Emerson has for so many.
“It is relatively easy, if we take the time, to give others the one thing they need to be well – human connection.”
Because we all have a desire to be seen, known and loved.
Hugh goes on to encourage others during this time of isolation, to do the small act of reaching out. Everyone is in a different place during this quarantine, and there is no shortage of anxiety, depression, stress and loneliness. But, there’s also no shortage of kindness.
Send a letter.
Make a call.
Practice self care.
Take a step of boldness.
For yourself or for others.And, thank your mail carrier (from an appropriate distance.) They are working extremely hard to keep us all connected.
— Hugh Weber (@hughweber) May 4, 2020
Since first tweeting about Emerson’s letter-writing journey on Sunday, Hugh’s thread has been retweeted nearly 25,000 times. He says the family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support for Emerson’s act of kindness.
“We’re seeing all of your replies & retweets,” he said. “We’re reading them aloud as a family. We’re absolutely in awe of the ripples of impact that have come from one letter.”
May we all take the time today to be a little more like Emerson. To decorate an envelope and be intentional and vulnerable with someone in this new normal. And may we pursue the connection we were created to have with those around us. Send a letter, make the call, shoot a text, and take that step of boldness, like Emerson.
