big day.

My post "letter to a DJ" (posted on blog October 19) was a letter I sent hoping to get through to a DJ that has a morning show and afternoon talk show. He is syndicated in most of the country. I thought he might read it (he talks about how he tries to read his own emails) but I knew he wouldn't respond. On that particular day he had said "what's the big deal with the word 'retard.' People need to let it go! It's like we can't say anything anymore." He went on and on. I had to say something and I posted my letter to him a little while back.

Yesterday I was in my car listening and I heard one of his staffers say the word and he interrupted and said, "hey, c'mon-- that word is not appropriate anymore." And the staffer said, "what in the hell are you talking about--you always say it and a few weeks ago you agreed that people make way too big of a deal about it." He responded saying he didn't want to hear it anymore. I ALMOST DIED. Was it my letter or perhaps he got a big response? Either way, something created change in his mind.

Small victory, but big. It starts with one person. And as my work for Noah often feels like it's for nothing, today it felt like it was for something.

And as they moved on, I pulled over as the tears filled my eyes.