This one particular quote really struck a chord with me :
"Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other."
— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)
In his book Randy Pausch talks about the lost art of writing "Thank You" notes. It got me thinking about when was the last time I had actually put pen to paper and written a note to thank someone for something? Sure, I've probably tapped out quite a few emails of appreciation but as for handwriting a letter of thanks - well, I really can't remember.
There is no doubt that email has revolutionised the communication market. How amazing it is to quickly tap out a message and voila! In the blink of a second it is sent - across the street.... across the state.....across the world.
I can remember a time (not all that long ago) when late November would find my mother sitting at the dining table with a pile of Christmas cards, her little red address book (containing all the names and addresses of every relative or friend who had ever sent her a Christmas card in her entire life!) and a beautiful box of perfumed stationery. With her trusty Parker fountain pen she would sit for hours (night after night) handwriting the most wonderful newsy letters filled with stories about what the family had been up to throughout the year and what our plans were for the next. The letters would then be folded neatly into quarters and placed inside a Christmas card ready for posting.
She also wrote the most beautiful Thank you letters. She was just so appreciative of every little bit of kindness or thoughtfulness that was shown towards her. "A thank you costs you nothing...." she would say.
How true is that..........
I can remember a time (not all that long ago) when late November would find my mother sitting at the dining table with a pile of Christmas cards, her little red address book (containing all the names and addresses of every relative or friend who had ever sent her a Christmas card in her entire life!) and a beautiful box of perfumed stationery. With her trusty Parker fountain pen she would sit for hours (night after night) handwriting the most wonderful newsy letters filled with stories about what the family had been up to throughout the year and what our plans were for the next. The letters would then be folded neatly into quarters and placed inside a Christmas card ready for posting.
She also wrote the most beautiful Thank you letters. She was just so appreciative of every little bit of kindness or thoughtfulness that was shown towards her. "A thank you costs you nothing...." she would say.
How true is that..........
Guess what's on the top of my Christmas Wish List this year?
Perfumed writing paper and a Parker fountain pen!
What a great post and so beautifully written you've inspired me to send someone a thankyou note!
ReplyDeleteI often think about sending a thank you note, especially after a dinner at some one elses house, but I never do as Im always scared they will think Im a bit strange as it is definately a lost art these days. I always end up sending a Thank you text instead..not nearly as charming a sentiment!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I love receiving hand written notes. And a new writing set always inpsires me to write thanks for the beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteJxx
I love stationery and handwritten notes. Such a thoughtful post. It is so much nicer to receive a handwritten note rather than an email. You have inspired me to do so more often. Sorry to hear about all the rain you're having up there Sharyne hope it clears soon. Leah.
ReplyDelete