You know how strongly I feel about gratitude and its power in connecting us with the others. My guest Annette Petrick shares some simple wisdom that will remind you of some easy thank yous you can express right now.
For Christmas, my sister gave me a loaf of homemade poppy seed bread. The treat takes hours to prepare and a large scoop of patience. She received my thanks immediately of course. But then she got an email when I finished the last of the half loaf I had not frozen. Then another thank you when we broke out the frozen half, and again when we finished that. Seem repetitious? She was delighted to be informed each time her gift was enjoyed yet again.
My ex and his wife probably received ten thank you’s from me over the years for the wonderful robe they gave me one birthday. It is still like new and it covers me with warmth and love, each time I wear it. They deserve to know how much pleasure their gift continues to bring.
So imagine the joy when someone receives a message, out of the blue, thanking them for something or someone they’ve introduced to you. Such outreach can change a life. If it meant a lot to you, let your gratitude show. Don’t just feel it; put it in writing. Electronic communication is so fast and easy – or you could really do it right, and send a handwritten note. That personal note becomes the kind of treasure that gets saved and retrieved years later, when it has even more significance.
Thanks much,
Annette
Annette Petrick for Consider This
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Annette Petrick is the creative genius and inspired storyteller behind the Consider This Radio Show, featuring 90-second episodes serving up “timely perspectives on life, love, friends, family, giving back, and giving thanks.”
I have done this a few times over the years – thanked someone again when a gift is enjoyed for the second, third, fourth time….And now, I’m thinking about all the wonderful Pampered Chef items my daughter-in-law (and son) have given me for Christmas, Mother’s Day, my birthday. I should thank her (and him) again when I use them again. There are other items of course, but the Pampered Chef came to mind immediately when reading this post. It certainly never hurts to show appreciation and it would be a surprise to get a thank you for something gifted years or months ago.
You are so right, Karen — I love the example you gave! It makes me think of some things, too, that I can remind someone how much I’m enjoying a gift. Don’t you love the way Annette’s pieces have such a ripple effect?
Thanks, Karen. I often dash off a thank you note when I catch sight of something someone gave me that I enjoy seeing or wearing or using. When we first moved into our 230 year old farmhouse with very marginal heat that worked only occasionally, my daughter Lisa gave us an electric blanket. Can you just imagine the number of nights we sent prayers of thanks her way for what was sometimes the only source of warmth in the place. That was 20 years ago, but it’s still a milestone.
Oh wow, Annette, I write a lot of notes, but this is a wonderful new inspiration for a reason to write more.
I probably send extra thank you notes too often, but when I wear a pair of earrings or read a book that was gifted, I also re-thank, sometimes with a photo of the object! But some of my friends beg me to not send a thank you note, because it makes them feel guilty that they don’t. But I can’t help myself.
Keep sending those notes! I’ve never thought guilt was a great motivator, but if that’s what it takes to get people writing—and then to enjoy the positive feedback of the gift they give in writing that note—perhaps we’ll get more people who WANT to write. I can always hope, can’t I?
I love the idea of taking a photo of the object. My daughter-in-law and son are good about send pictures of them or they child using/enjoying their gifts. It is a wonderful touch.
I know what you mean, Pamela. While some thanks may create guilt, others strengthen the relationship. Thanks make a person feel special. They are sent because what the person said or did WAS special. I love the idea of sending a photo with the thank you. Thanks for the new idea.
Following up on Elizabeth’s suggestion of writing business thank you notes, I just sent one to a client whose newsletter we have published for a decade. Things have changed so much on his side and on ours, but we’re still good for each other. It occurred to me that he should know that. Now, he does. Thanks, Elizabeth.
Bravo, Annette — the irony is that it is so rare for anyone like that to receive a personal note from a business associate that when he/she does, it really is noticed and appreciated. Thanks for sharing with us.