Please write a letter to someone for whom you are grateful

Dear Friends,

I share with you a lovely short story of a happening today. I rarely get letters anymore, as it seems most people prefer emailing me or not keeping in touch at all. Today, however, I received two letters that touched my heart.

The first was from a former pupil for whom I babysat and tutored in English and maths. She wrote a beautiful thank you card. I hadn’t heard from her in five years and she has since graduated from Yale. I won’t give specifics as I don’t have her permission to share, but will say she gave me more credit than I likely deserve for her own academic excellence.

The second letter was from the daughter of a neighbor I used to look after in the autumn of his life. I didn’t do anything particularly special, IMO, but the daughter said I made his last few months much more enjoyable.

I can’t tell you how good these letters made me feel; how appreciated and loved simple words are making me feel even now. There is so much ugliness and meanness all over, but we can break that muck with simple acts of kindness. A small candle breaks through deep darkness and darkness does not overcome it.

Each of us has some people in our lives for whom we are grateful. Often we do not express it. We never know when we are in our last day nor do we know when those who have given so much to us will be lost to death. Therefore, my dear friends, may I suggest that tonight or early tomorrow morning, consider someone who doesn’t know how much they have meant to you. Put a few thoughts on paper and write them a note of gratitude. Those few small words may make a world of difference. Share that love and gratitude and both will blossom within you.

My dearest friends, love one another and show it. Have a blessed evening.