Thank you, Malcolm Jamal Warner

I didn’t know Malcolm Jamal Warner.

But I did write him a fan letter once.

And he wrote back. 

Most likely, it was a form letter — Hey, it was 41 years ago. I was thirteen. I don’t remember. 

But the fact that “Theo” from “The Cosby Show,” the biggest TV show in the ’80s universe, cared enough to write me back? 

I was a teenage Black girl from Detroit who was too shy to ever talk to him in person. But somehow, I found my  voice on the page. 

And he…or his mom, who managed him, saw my letter and responded.

I don’t know what I said in my letter. Probably how cute I thought he was or that  he was such a great actor…

All I remember is how I felt seen. And as I see all of the mournful posts from others in shock that he’s gone, one thing keeps resonating with me. 

Everyone says he was a good man and had a kind soul. 

And although, I never met him, Malcolm did teach me  a valuable lesson —  To respond to folks and be kind.

Back in the day, it took some effort to do this…

You had to write a letter and go to the post office to mail it off. 

Now, it just takes a quick text or email. 

A smile as you walk by someone. 

Eye contact with a stranger just so they can feel seen. 

Until I learned Malcom passed today, I had forgotten he responded to my fan letter. 

But the impact of that small gesture helped shape me. 

I pray for his family, his friends and everyone mourning his passing today. 

Rest in peace, Malcolm. 

And thank you.