Saturday, March 27, 2021

trevor’s encyclopedia of lost things

I love to receive letters. 

Write one to me.


I’ll write you back, for sure.


There’s something about putting words to paper and sending it out to someone’s heart.


When I was a little boy, I lived in a house on East Lee Road.


Trevor Scott Barton

2701 East Lee Road

Taylors, SC 29687


I could sit on the front porch and see the mail truck coming from a long way away..


When it stopped in front of my house, I’d run with hope in my heart and wings on my feet down the walkway, between two giant maple trees, across the road to the mailbox. 


Would there be a letter for me? 


Was someone in the world thinking of me?


One day last year, it wasn’t the mail truck but a second-grader on the school playground who delivered a letter to me. 


Mr. Barton

Room 201

Berea Elementary School


I took it out of it’s envelope.


I unfolded it.


Here’s what it said.


Dear Mr. Barton,


Hi! It’s Odeth from 2th grade I miss you a lot I wanted to know about you so much. I am being good. I am in 4th grade now. Do you remember me? Do you miss me? I hope you will come to my school. Ask for my name. I am 10 years old.


Your best student,


Odeth


Wow.


Odeth was in my very first class during my very first year as an elementary school teacher. 


I’ll always remember her big dimples, contagious giggle, deep brown eyes and inquisitive mind. 


Later that afternoon, when the classroom was calm and quiet, I sat down at Odeth’s old desk.


I wrote a letter back to her.


Dear Odeth,


Hiey! You will always be special to me. Do you remember the geometry lesson when you made a yellow flower from the shapes I gave you? It was brilliant like you. I still have the picture we took of that flower. Do you remember how we talked about you becoming an architect and designing beautiful buildings? I wonder if you still enjoy designing things. Do you remember how you liked to talk and how I told you that you should think about becoming a lawyer? I know you’re being the best you can be and doing the best you can do. I miss you, too!


¡Gracias y paz!

Mr. Barton


Not only did Odeth write a letter to me, she is a letter to me.


A living letter.


Of faith, hope and love.


Her letter and life asks an essential question.


“Are you thinking of me?”


Yes I am.


P.S.


Trevor Scott Barton

16 Don Drive

Greenville, SC 29607






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