A SIMPLE LETTER
I am prepared to bet that you have one of these somewhere. A simple letter.
Perhaps it is stashed away in a shoebox, or left in a bedside drawer. It may well be stored in a special place on your laptop, but if you are closer to my age, it will probably be hand written. The font with all its inky imperfections will be almost as memorable as the message itself, and you may even have kept the envelope which gift wraps the sentiment you feel when you reread it once more. It will remind you of a cherished time, a way of life or a turning point along your journey. It may be an apology or an appreciation and the words could convey condolences or congratulations.
If you have such a letter, I am also prepared to wager that it is all about a relationship. Someone who has taken the time to write to you, and for that reason they remain important in your life. Though they themselves may have passed on, their writing remains with you, and like the ink which still marks the course of their thoughts at the time, the impact on us is indelible.
Perhaps it is an anniversary card from your spouse, which reaffirms your decisions and commitments from decades before, or it is a Father’s day scrawl with more character in the stick figures than characters of the alphabet. Maybe that note is from a parent when their pride flowed straight from their heart onto the waiting page to celebrate an accomplishment, or when their tears mixed with the liquid of literacy at your loss, your disappointment or your sorrow. That letter you are thinking of right now may be from a coach, a schoolteacher or a good friend whose words carry meaning, and as with all carrying, there has been a feeling of upliftment.
I have already made two wagers, but I’ll go on risk to make a third.
Somewhere, I bet you someone has a letter you wrote to them. A letter of gratitude or well wishes. A note of inspiration or a gentle reminder of a teachable moment. A poem of appreciation, a speech at a birthday celebration or a reference for a job interview. Maybe they landed that job, and maybe they didn’t, but regardless of the outcome, what took you a few minutes to write has lived with them since they day they received it. It could be a love letter which someone still holds dear as a lifetime later, they still feel the love.
A simple letter is a gift which costs nothing nowadays, and cost only the postage stamps from days gone by. It needs only three things. A pen, a piece of paper and a relationship worth investing in. And I choose the word investment on purpose. Something which has next to zero cost, may pay a reward of close to infinite returns.
Why would we not invest in that?
Some of the most powerful people in the world have engaged in divisive and cutthroat competition with each other in all walks of life, and maybe none more so than the candidates for the United States of America presidency. Every four years there is a tooth and nail street fight where the gloves of dignity and decorum have come off and been thrown in disgust and with disdain by all and sundry, and every four years, questions are asked about the leadership examples being set and the state of humanity in the world.
I was pleased to learn though, that every four years there was a gift, a reconciliation, an acknowledgement or even a redemption.
A simple letter.
Every four years, the outgoing President has left a note in the Oval office of the White House to the President elect as a sign of respect, or unity, or advice or appreciation.
Here is the letter from outgoing President Obama to President elect Trump from January 2017:
From President Obama To President Trump
Dear Mr. President – Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure. This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don't know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years. First, we've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It's up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard. Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend. Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions — like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties — that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them. And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches. Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can. Good luck and Godspeed, BO
Presidential indeed. We might have expected that from Barack.
Yet Obama received a dignified note from George W Bush and he received one from Bill Clinton who opened his letter from George HW, who received his message from Reagan. The list goes on for centuries.
I wonder if this chain mail will be broken by a man who might ever only have written letters of appreciation to himself?
I will keep that fourth bet to myself for now.
If you have a simple letter in your possession, cherish it, and if you don’t, then write one.
The return on that investment will come for sure.
Steve Hall
