My mother made me write Thank You notes when I was young. As I recall, I wrote really big because I didn’t always know what to say besides, “Dear _________, thank you for the ________. I love it and it will really come in handy.”
At that time, the notes I wrote were all about tangible gifts—a bracelet for a birthday, towels for graduation. But I know lots of people who are very good at writing Thank Yous to people for other kinds of gifts they have received. In my experience, these notes mean a lot and seem to arrive in the mail when I need it the most.
Today I’ve been thinking about the people in my life I need to send a Thank You to (Maybe this will motivate me to do it!) Here’s just some of the amazing “gifts” I’ve received:
Thank you, ___________, for writing me a Thank You note.
Thank you, ___________, for telling me the truth. It must have been hard to say, but you said it anyway.
Thank you, ___________, for giving me advice. I can’t remember if I followed it or not, but thanks for caring enough to share it.
Thank you, ___________, for always answering my phone calls. You may have rolled your eyes, but I didn’t hear it in your “Hello?”
Thank you, ___________, for prompting me, prodding me, pushing me—sometimes gently, sometimes not. I need to hear it seventy-seven times.
Thank you, ___________, for your thoughtfulness. It means a lot knowing that you were thinking of me and that you took the time to let me know that you were thinking of me.
Thank you, ___________, for giving me space. It takes me a long time to work things out.
Thank you, ___________, for apologizing for saying something stupid. It reminds me to do the same thing when stupid stuff comes out of my mouth.
Thank you, ___________, for taking my picture and sending it to me—a gift of a memory (especially if it’s flattering!!)
Thank you, ___________, for your sick sense of humor. I thought I was the only one.
Thank you, ___________, for our long talks about......everything.
Thank you, ___________, for complimenting me on my 2-word Wordle, even though we know it’s mainly luck.
Thank you, ___________, for not judging me. Or, if you did, you didn’t act like it or talk like it.
Thank you, ___________, for asking......not assuming.
Thank you, ___________, for walking with me. Even though I may be quiet, it’s nice knowing you are there.
What about you? Got any Thank Yous to write?
