Here's what Albert Einstein's little sister, Maja Einstein, wrote to him for his birthday in 1924

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Here's what Albert Einstein's little sister, Maja Einstein, wrote to him for his birthday in 1924:

Dear Albert,

This time I come to you very fittingly with a few of our spring flowers to congratulate you on your birthday.  My dear brother, first take a kiss, and then all the good wishes I have for you;  you won’t do badly if they all get fulfilled! But finally, I add the modest, selfish little wish that during this new year of your life you would think of me a little more and also perhaps write me, highly personally, in your own hand….
 
One more fond birthday kiss from your       
                                                                          Maja

(📸  Photo of Albert, age 14, and Maja, age 11, courtesy of the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.)

The letter from Maja Einstein to her brother Albert Einstein on his birthday in 1924 is a touching glimpse into the personal life of one of history's most renowned scientists. It reveals a tender familial relationship, often overshadowed by Albert Einstein's immense public persona and groundbreaking scientific achievements. Maja's letter is intimate, conveying love, affection, and a sibling's longing for closer communication and attention. This plea for more personal interaction is poignant, emphasizing the normalcy and human desires that persist regardless of one's status or intellectual stature.

The mention of spring flowers as a birthday gift is symbolic, representing renewal, growth, and the beauty of life—a gentle reminder of the world's natural wonders that even a mind as preoccupied with the universe's mysteries as Einstein's could appreciate. Maja's mix of heartfelt wishes for her brother's well-being and her "modest, selfish little wish" for more personal attention highlights the universal desire for connection and recognition from those we love, no matter their achievements or fame.

The photograph of Albert and Maja as children, provided by the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, adds a visual dimension to this narrative, showcasing the siblings in their youth before the weight of Albert's scientific legacy took form. It serves as a poignant reminder of their shared history and the enduring bond between them, unaffected by the passage of time or the accolades one might accumulate.

Maja's letter, thus, serves not just as a birthday greeting, but as a reminder of the importance of maintaining personal relationships and staying connected to our roots and loved ones, no matter where life takes us. It underscores the human side of Einstein, often hidden behind the facade of the genius physicist, revealing that at his core, he was a brother, a family member, and a person capable of inspiring love and longing in those closest to him.

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