Susan Senator

Dear Mom
How are you?
I am good.
I had music this morning.
I played a violin.
Love
Nat

From: “susan@susansenator.com”
To: natb
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:37:06 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re:

Hi Nat,
I went to work today, teaching at a school.
I am eating lunch now and wishing I could see you.
Love,
Mom

Everyday this week I have been getting an email from Nat. They are very formulaic, like his phone conversations. I always wonder if the content is controlled by his teachers, and how much is generated from him. They tell me that they prompt him with ideas of what to talk about, and he generates the sentences, and then they correct his spelling.

I am on Facebook and the little chat box pops up frequently, giving me a dose of these tiny little conversations, that sometimes remind me of Nat’s emails. Yesterday when I read his Swee’Mail I thought of I.M. and FB chatting, and I wondered what Nat would think of this. I think maybe he’d like it, because it would be instant response rather than delayed as the email is. I don’t even know if he reads the email I send back, and if he does, does it make any sense, without a visual or a context?

I.M. or Facebook would have my face — well it would have my rose icon, but maybe Ned could change it into my face. With his teacher looking over his shoulder, he could read it and she could repeat and explain, and maybe — ? Would it be interesting to him? Would he feel like, “Oh, that’s why people talk to each other, it is fun, it feels good!” Or would he feel like, “more talking.”

I want to try it, but I don’t know what to expect, and I’m probably expecting a real real lot.