Dear Naomi Shihab Nye,

Congratulations on your selection as Young People’s Poet Laureate.

Several years ago, I was fortunate to spend a weekend in your class at Asilomar. I still have the work I completed that weekend, including a detailed drawing of my childhood neighborhood. There were many magical moments as we worked together in our small group, including your recitation of “Kindness” and your sharing of the back story of that poem. To this day, it remains my favorite poem – I’ve passed it along to numerous friends and family when they’ve needed it most.

Years later, I was studying for the week at Teacher’s College when you gave the closing address. Listening to you speak, I felt such kinship with you. Whenever I’m asked who is my favorite poet, your name is the first to pop into my head.

Your words have such power and I am so very grateful for the way your words have enriched my life.