Dear Helene,

The other day, while out and about, I happened to chance upon a historical marker on the side of an apartment building on the Upper East Side.  Often, it is somebody whose name may ring a bell, or more often not does not, but this one of Charing Cross House (where Helene Hanff lived from 1956 until her death in 1997) definitely struck a chord.

I remember quite distinctly my first visit to London in my pre-teen year in search of things English and happening upon the book 84 Charing Cross Road at WH Smith.  I remember reading much of it in the store, so captivated was I by this book detailing the exchange of letters between an American writer (Helene Hanff) and a bookseller (Marks and Co., or more specifically, Frank Doel of Marks and Co.), most all in relation to tracking down certain editions of literature, it has stuck with me over the years and through the ups and downs of my book collection.  

Seeing the plaque on the building was like meeting a dear friend whom one has not seen for the longest time on the street.

While snapping a shot of the plaque, the amiable doorman opened the door and struck up a conversation with me about Ms Hanff who seemed every bit as lovely and vivacious woman as in her letters and writing.   Among the tidbits I found out was that Ms Hanff used to often sit outside on the improvised garden/bench and that she was quite friendly to animals!  How special this small space became with a little story.

Walking away a bit melancholy at the passage of time, I came home and in the waning light of day leafed through the pages.  On the last page, I reread those beautiful last words I had never quite forgotten but had been hidden in the recesses of my memory: "If you happen to pass by 84 Charing Cross Road, kiss it for me!  I owe it so much."