My Tom Wicker Lesson

Recently, Tom Wicker, the former Pulitzer Prize winning columnist with the New York Times, passed away. In the world of journalism, Wicker was definitely a giant - as a reporter and commentator. I mention his passing because of what I feel is a kindness he extended me many years ago. Wicker had just written a book on the riots at Attaca State Prison in New York. In it, Wicker was critical of how then-Governor Nelson Rockefeller handled the incident. I was a teenager then, but nevertheless was interested in the subject matter, so I bought the book and read it. One thing I was curious about, after reading it, was how Rockefeller behaved toward Wicker the next time the two crossed paths after the book's release.

Not really sure if I would get a response, I wrote Wicker a hand-written note asking my question. Even now, I recall not expecting to ever get anything back and feeling a bit foolish about writing a man who, to me, was famous and important. Several weeks passed and much to my surprise came a letter to me with The New York Times return address on the envelope. I cautiously opened it and, sure enough, was a hand-written note back from Wicker with a brief answer to my question. I did not save the note, nor do I remember Wicker's exact words. But what has stayed with me all these years is the fact this nationally-renown writer took a few moments from his day to write me back. I remain very touched.

My memory of what Tom Wicker did reinforces the notion that even the simpliest acts of communication can sometimes really go a long way. To him, it probably took less than a minute and was quickly forgotten. But, to me, it has lasted most of a lifetime. The lesson I have taken from it is that as best we can we must take all of our acts of communication as seriously as possible because they can make a surprising difference to others. I never met Wicker in person, so I really do not know if he was a truly good man. Yet when I do think of him, that is how I imagine he was throughout his life: kind and thoughtful. At least that is how he was to me. And that is how I try to be when I communicate to others.