Providing heartfelt thanks is becoming a skill that so many lack. Our olden ways of writing those Thank You Notes somehow lost their luster and stopped “trending” to use the words of modern times. Recently, I’ve been reminded of the importance and gravity behind the sentiment and I for one believe that this is a custom that needs to be brought back into regular routine. Saying thank you seems to be so much easier than other emotionally induced instances like saying I’m sorry, how can I help you, or even I love you. However, a quick verbal thank you is just that, it’s often rushed or said on the fly and it doesn’t have to be very specific or well thought through. Sometimes we say thank you for simple niceties like when someone holds the door open for us or even when a parent ties the shoe of their child. I agree that a verbal thank you is important too, but isn’t it possible that there are times when a written and reinforced thank you comes via a formal written card.
For myself, my parents insisted upon thank you cards being written for gifts received at birthdays and Christmas. As I look back on those times I am very THANKFUL that this tradition of written communication was instilled upon me; it was an opportunity for me to be mindful and reflective. As I’ve grown older and been on the receiving end of more and more Thank-you cards I have come to acknowledge that there is also much satisfaction that comes from learning about how my acts or gifts of kindness have helped or been utilized and appreciated by the receiver. It can be said that I agree with the adage that is always better to give than to receive. It feels so great to know and have that confirmation that your nicety or help was actually helpful or meant something to someone. It gives you the gusto to want to do more.
I have recently had the opportunity to share thank-you note-writing skills lessons with teens. I’ll be honest; they didn’t at first seem to like the idea. This was yet another forced writing lesson. Nevertheless, I have shared with these teens about the longstanding traditions associated with Thank yous and when they are commonplace. Turns out they were also not in the know that they would soon be entering the phase of life where they likely will be gifted lots. I shared with them customary gifts given for graduating high school, college, marriages, new jobs, and of course those cute babies one day. Obviously, everyone’s experience with these life happenings is different, however, when I spoke of the VALUE of the gifts and the possibilities and opportunities that I was granted from some of mine over the years their eyes and ears perked up. I explained that it’s likely possible that certain people in my life continued in their gift-giving because I sent personalized Thank yous. My high school coach’s wife gave me an all-in-one packaged tool set for graduation that helped me with every dorm debacle imaginable throughout my college years and even helped hang pictures on the walls of my first home. Later, when I married, she kept in touch and gifted me the platter I serve my extended family a meal with on special holidays all these years later. When my babies were on their way, she helped usher them in with bibs, toys, clothes, and diapers that helped make those early days a little easier. I’m convinced that she felt a true appreciation for her kind gestures to my life when I gave her a thank you card each time. Honestly, I might even send her a thank you card now again, but provide her a link to this blog. Her kindness has meant more to me than she knows (unless I tell her!!!) and it brings a smile to my face when I get to remember her through the gifts she has given. Thank you cards should definitely be trending; it’s such an easy gesture. Join me in this endeavor to bring back the lost art. Send a thank you card to someone real soon!
Written by Nancy Adams. Nancy is the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with UGA Extension in Gilmer County Georgia.
