You are really going into the archive and reading some old posts. Love that!

i recently unearthed the letter that i got back from the head of school. (thank god i’m a pack rat.) so very sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you. i’d been meaning to post a follow-up to my initial rant anyway, so thank you thank you for prompting me.

here’s what i got, dated nov. 21, 2008:

Dear Kristen:

Thanks for your letter of November 16th. I am gratified that you find the school communications interesting and useful. We’re always tinkering with the best ways to keep our alumnae connected.

Your question of “old-world etiquette” is certainly a good one, and not picayune at all. You have probably already heard from Tina Gorski-Strong [I had], but I will make sure we use the proper for [sic] of address in future communications.

I look forward to seeing you before too long.

Best wishes,

Dan

okay, so here’s the thing. i liked this letter, and really appreciated getting it. i’d had a hunch that dan was a good egg, and hearing back from him so promptly, and with such a nice note, reinforced that.

but then last month i was home in RI and went by wheeler to show my girls the school. in our meanderings i stopped by dan’s office to introduce myself and to say a quick hello. after shaking his hand i mentioned something like “i was the snarky one who wrote the letter about how mail is addressed to me.” and here’s the thing. he looked at me and said, “oh yeah? i didn’t see that. someone else must have read that for me.”

so, was he kidding? of course, i was looking forward to an old-fashioned hatchet burial—or just a nice brief chat with him—but when he made that comment and then had to run off to a meeting i was left devoid of the warm fuzzies. should i assume he was dead-panning? giving me a taste of my own snarky medicine?

interpretations welcomed.

then again – it was a lovely rant.