The first note I sent wasn’t meant to be the start of anything. But afterward, I couldn’t stop thinking about how many authors have given me something worth thanking them for. So I’m sharing this one—the note that launched the series—as the very first. To Maria Popova at The Marginalian

Dear Maria,

Sometimes the algorithms get it right. They led me to your piece Walt Whitman on What Makes Life Worth Living, and I’m so glad they did. While I wouldn’t call myself a student of Whitman, I’ve grown to appreciate his reverence for nature and the quiet healing found in simple pleasures—gardening, walking barefoot in the grass, pausing to notice the world.

Visiting your site felt less like scrolling and more like overhearing a conversation I didn’t know I needed—a gentle dialogue about meaning, beauty, and the grace of being alive. I haven’t wanted to sit and binge-read in ages, but I found myself lingering, drawn in by your reflections. I’ve subscribed to your newsletter, made a small donation, and will continue to support your work when I’m able.

Thank you for sharing your gift so generously. The world is better for it.

Warmly,
Kristine Brorman

Have you ever been moved to write to an author or artist?