Dear One,
(You are amazing. I love you beyond the clouds and back.)
I found your note, tucked under the honey jar after the dinner party. It’s hard to know exactly what made you underscore “amazing.” Was it the dancing in the kitchen after cheesecake? The roaring laughter at the table when you told that story about a sprinting basset hound? Whatever dear friend, it was really nothing, you know, nothing more than deciding to open up the door, serve a little food, and add some candlelight. For the record, you are amazing too. And for that, I’m grateful.
A few years back I had this idea to keep all my Thank You notes. At the time I thought I’d collect a pile, then paper a wall with them, or create a room border, maybe modge-podge them onto a tray. Yes, I’ll pause while you chortle. At my earnestness. At my utter disregard for the fact that I have no crafting ability. But still, I save these treasures.
Thank you for including us! We enjoyed meeting some of your friends.
Thank you for spending a Saturday afternoon with me at the AFI Fest…
Merci pour the less-buttered chocolate cake…
Thank you for a wonderful semester of learning!
Thanks for your love and support during what has to be one of saddest times of my life…
Thank you so much for sharing your time, your words, and your poetry…
Thank You notes remind me of good times and of the importance of helping friends through the sad ones. They’re a living scrapbook of parties I’ve almost forgotten, of cakes I’ve made so frequently that I tend to I overlook how they might still be special to another. Thank You notes, sent and saved, draw in pen the invisible web of connected lives.
This weekend, take a minute – that’s really all it takes – and send a Thank You note. Or, if you’re like my friend, write a note and tuck it in a hidden spot where it will be discovered later. Either way, show a little gratitude for big things, yes. But focus on the small things too; the time spent together, the cake, the poem, the words said at just the right time.
To our readers, on this our 100th post – this one’s for you. You are amazing.
With No Crafting Ability Whatsoever Except When Using Words
~Catherine
backyard sisters 
So many times I hear people ask, “Is the thank you note a thing of the past?” I always hope it is not so. I love writing and receiving thank you notes. They have a way of making me feel special and connected. I love that you keep each one you have received!
It’s nice to hear that you too love writing and receiving thank you notes. I know I have a few from you in my treasure chest.
Thank you, I write in gratitude for this blog from the two of you… A true joy that brightens my inbox upon each newly published post.
Thank you so very much. We are grateful for our readers. Peace.