thanks

Late Breaking Thanks

Backstory

You’ve probably received many thanks over the years. But how many do you remember? This story tells how to give thanks that are memorable and appreciated – especially if they are in a handwritten note.

Late Breaking Thanks

When you receive a gift, you no doubt give thanks to the giver. Your appreciation might be stated verbally, or penned in a thank you card, or sent through cyberspace. Or you may let everyone know you got a gift by thanking the giver on Facebook or Twitter. And that’s usually the end of the transaction.

But think about giving thanks again later. That’s when the giver will know you really did like the gift, and use it and enjoy it.

When you’ve worn that sweater for the 10^th time – tell the giver again how comfortable it is and how you think of them every time you wear it.

When that plant flowers for the fourth time and brings you joy – let the giver know how their gift keeps giving.

When your son is grown, tell him again how much you enjoyed the ashtray he crafted for you in second grade. Let your daughter know you still have that handprint she gave you for Mother’s Day when she was in the first grade.

Presents are such energizing things. They are worth far more than simple thanks at the time of their presentation. Bring them to life again years later just by renewing your thanks. You’ll conjure up sweet memories and smiles.

If you’re really lucky, you may hear from someone to whom you gave a gift long ago. Then you’ll know how good it feels to get late-breaking thanks.

P.S. Equally appreciated are late-breaking thanks to those providing help. The Samaritan who returns your lost cell phone . . . The neighbor who holds your parking space . . . The relative who can always be counted on as a last-minute babysitter. Make sure they all know how grateful you are for their help.

[Show #461]

Best Christmas Gift

Back Story

You probably start Christmas shopping in October, like my friend Susan. Her gifts are wrapped, labeled and stored long before most people. She is really good at selecting just the right present. Wouldn’t it feel good if something you choose for someone this year wound up being the best gift they ever had?

Best Christmas Gift

What’s the BEST Christmas gift you ever received? Think about it. What pops right into your mind? I’ll bet it’s not the most expensive gift you ever got. It’s probably the one most lovingly selected by someone who knows you very, very well and contributes regularly to your happiness.

Sometimes, a gift provides an unexpected pleasure. I remember receiving a green imitation leather shoulder bag from an aunt. It was full lady size, even though my age had not yet hit double digits.

To me, it was the symbol of being grown up. And obviously my aunt had RECOGNIZED how grown up I was, to give me such a sophisticated – and big – purse. I dragged half of my childhood treasures around with me in that purse, so everyone could see this recognition of my new, grown up stature in life.

I have to wonder whether my aunt ever had even an inkling of how important that gift was to me, or why. Probably not. I now wish I had told her about it, somewhere along the way.

Think about your favorite gift and what it symbolized for you. If you still can, call the person who gave it to you and tell them. What a delight it would be to hear from you with that kind of thanks. This is the season for it.

Enjoy the holidays and each other.

P.S. Books are always a welcome gift. Sometimes they open new doors, inspire or at very least, entertain. The Christmas book I wrote a couple of years ago is chuck full of Consider This stories from Christmases over the last 15 years. It can be purchased on Amazon. This link will take you right to it – Christmas Joy, Love, and Wonder by Annette Petrick

[Show #600]

How’s Your World?

Backstory

After months of cloister and self-inflicted hugless, distant interactions, can we still have moments of joy? How does it look when you take an inventory of your blessings?

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How’s Your World? – #618

I want to ask you something. Regardless of the troubles of the world, how is YOUR world? The one you live in, every day, where you work and eat and sleep and laugh.

Are your kids clean and healthy? Are they learning or earning? Is there a roof over your head? Are your parents taken care of? Is there food on your table and clean water coming out of your spigot?

If so, you are far more fortunate than many. And that means you have much for which to give thanks.

This country has served you well, In providing a place where you could learn and work and live freely. Whatever your degree of prosperity, if you look inward, you can usually smile and nod “OK.”

So although we can complain that the world is not as good as it should be, let’s also celebrate the freedoms and rights we enjoy. Instead of asking for more, let’s give thanks for what we have and what we have had.

Then, let’s think about ways to give back as our act of thanks. Provide a kind word today. Donate something to a good cause. Use your God-given talents – for free. Teach something. Forgive someone. Share a smile. Give someone you love an extra hug and two compliments.

Life is good – even though sometimes, we need a reminder.

P.S.

People have been so creative about giving back, during this pandemic lock-down. What have you done? Sew masks? Participate in car caravans? Send a weekly check to the cleaning person even though she could not come and clean? It all matters. It all counts. And on Tuesday, give back by casting your vote and having your voice heard.

[Show #618]

Thanks For Doing Good

Backstory

This month we Americans will give thanks for all the privileges and opportunities we are offered in our beloved country. Most of us are smart enough to be grateful more than one day a year. Today’s story explores a different kind of gratitude for which we might offer thanks.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Thanks for Doing Good – #489

The flowers you received were just beautiful and they lasted so long. Of course you wrote a personal note of thanks to the sender.

You are showered with birthday gifts. Of course each person will receive your thank you card or phone call or email.

Those thanks are tied to the receipt of something tangible, physical. How about thanking the people in your life for the greater gifts they give you – the gifts of their time, their talent, their energy. We often laud these people to others, conveying our respect and admiration for what they have done but we may forget to tell the person involved how much we appreciate what they have done or said or thought.

So why not call the friend who crocheted that special scarf for you last year. Let her know how much you appreciate it and how often you wear it. Call your mom or grandmother and tell her you have just been remembering happy memories from your childhood and wanted to share them anew with her. Call the new person who took over for you at the PTA gala, when you got the flu at the last minute. Send an email to the neighbor who shared her fruit or vegetables or her recipe.

Some people don’t hear nearly enough thanks, for the amount of good they do. They may not do it to get those words of appreciation, but they can’t help enjoying them, when they come along.

Oh, and by the way, thanks for all the things you do.

P.S.

Now that you’re thinking about those who have made a difference in your life, will you do something about it? Don’t wait and expect to remember. That person was important to you at a critical time of your life. Pick up the phone and tell them so.

[Show #489]