Readers | Mark’s Remarks
However, I’m also thankful for the ones who don’t like it. Did you know there are people who read my column just to make fun of it? Did you know there are some people who read my column with a sneer? It’s true. But I’m still thankful for all readers, really. They all paid the same amount for the paper, after all.
Every now and then, I run into someone who asks me if I’m the guy who writes the column. Usually I say yes right away. My ego is too big for my own good, and I have to say I enjoy getting recognized. Who wouldn’t? Even if it’s for writing a silly little slice-of-life column.
I started thinking the other day that maybe I should say something like “That depends. Do you like my column?” One of these days, somebody might sock me in the jaw for something I’ve written. Who knows?
After taking my son for the milestone task of getting his driver’s license last week, we motored over to the Health Department to get a shot for an upcoming mission trip he’s going on with some other youth.
As we were walking out to the car, we ran into a lovely lady who recognized me and told me she was from a town near where I grew up. It’s always good to run into someone from your own neck of the woods. We chatted for a while and I was glad to have run into her.
“Was that a lady who reads your column?” my son asked, with his usual teenager tone. Today, however, he had a little excitement in his tone. He was in a good mood. After all, he’d gotten his driver’s license. Half expecting a comment that would poke fun at my column (you see, my kids think the column is silly too), I answered yes.
“What a sweet lady. It was nice of her to stop you and talk to you. I wonder how she recognized you?” What a nice retort, I thought. There is hope for him yet.
A few weeks back I received a wonderful letter from another reader who has contacted me before. I always enjoy hearing from her.
When she first contacted me, she asked for the address of my hometown newspaper. You see, she knew someone from my “neck of the woods” and now that her friend was living in another state, she thought it might be nice to send the lady a subscription to my hometown paper. So, I sent her the address.
Not too long ago, I received another letter from her. This time, she sent me news of her friend’s 100th birthday! In the letter was a birthday party announcement/ invitation. Upon further examination of the letter, I found four two dollar bills.
I read the letter, tickled to pieces to hear from this reader again. She gave me some details of the Wayne County native who had gotten to the century mark.
She also sent along a caution to me, which I appreciated. Her concern about my children getting a trampoline in the backyard was enough that I researched the model of trampoline and even chatted with a representative from the company. I checked everything out.
You see, my caring reader was worried because she remembered the day when some school districts in St. Louis had gotten rid of trampolines due to injuries sustained by students.
The lady from the company told me there are new safety guidelines for trampolines. Plus, the model we have has a safety pad and a net around it. Whew! Better safe than sorry.
A few days later, I went to write a thank you note to my reader for not only sending my kids the two dollar bills, but also for sending the birthday news and sound advice.
I could not find the letter anywhere. Gone was the birthday announcement and gone was the envelope with my dear reader’s address. I hung my head in shame after looking high and low for the misplaced envelope. Ugh.
So, I thought I’d just write a column about her! I don’t like to publish names in my column, but she knows who she is.
I thank you, dear reader, for sending me the letter with all the goodies. My children thank you. Few people take the time to write letters anymore, and such a gesture gets you a gold star from this schoolteacher. Take care, and please write again.
