To Jason F Wright

Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Dear Jason,

I have just finished reading your book, The Wednesday Letters, and I can’t seem to stop crying. Who knew! Who knew that a family could inspire so much love and overcome so much tragedy with such grace, and that everything would work out in the end? I didn’t, but you made my most closely guarded hopes come true and I have the soaked tissues to prove it. Who knew that Nathan Sleazy-Italian-Last-Name would turn out in the end to have no redeeming qualities and in fact had set up Malcolm all along, thus clearing the path (a mere handful of pages before the end of the novel- nail biter! Lol!) for Malcolm and Rain’s unrequited love to be requited?! I didn’t! Nathan ex machina! I smiled every time Samantha ribbed Malcolm or tousled his hair- just when I thought you wouldn’t be able to fit any more sibling banter into your tight, lean story, you found a way to charm me again. Thank you, Jason!

I felt like I had read this story before, in one of those email chains I get from my Aunt Carrie, who loves me, with the subject line: “Proof that Romance and Magic Still Live! Pass this on to 5 People You Love and God Will Bless Your Life!” At the bottom of this email I think there was a picture of a fireman saving a cat or a sunset poking through the clouds- I don’t recall because my eyes were misty. It was such a touching and faith promoting email, as was your book. You sir, have bolstered my faith in God and man.

I tried writing a song inspired by your book. It’s not done, yet, and I must admit it sounds better with the melody I’ve come up with, but here it is:

Just when I thought life couldn’t get better
I read this book called the Wednesday Letters
The book was read and tears were shed
Who knew that Mal and Rain would wed?

In my tears and in my pain
I hoped that Mal would end up with Rain
But that jerk Nate, who I hate, hate, hate
He wouldn’t stand aside and let fate be fate

But God is good and things worked out
I just can’t get over that jerk Nate, that lout
Oh, and I don’t want to make things awkward
But though I like Mal, he’s still a bastard

Your friend and loyal reader,

Stephen Joel Jensen

P.S. Have you read the Christmas Box? I think you’d like it.