I received three unexpected thank you notes in the past week. All of them were from young people – 1 teenager and two young women in their 20s. They touched me deeply. Everyone appreciates recognition.
#1 – The outside of the card said “Joy”. Inside, the young woman who I mentored and who was so inconsistent in communication during the time I interacted with her, wrote a note “I didn’t forget about you. You’re always in my thoughts. Happy Holidays. Love…”
#2 – I sent a set of note cards to my cousin who is more like a niece some months ago. I’d been sending her articles about art works, artists and art careers for a little over a year. The articles were never acknowledged. Occasionally I would call her to check in to see what she thought but she didn’t have much to say to the point that I thought I was bothering her. So, I decided to back-off. I sent her things when I saw them and stopped worrying about whether she liked them, found them useful or even opened them.
She handpainted one of the cards and wrote: “Thank you so much for those inspirational art news clippings. I would like to apologize for not writing you back this year. This is something I will be working on next year. I hope you have a good holiday and tell everyone I said “hi.” Love…”
#3 – Came from a teenager who I befriended as a middle school student a three years ago. This year I was able to get her to go with me to the August Wilson Monologue competition at the Huntington Theatre Company. I also send she and her mother information about academic enrichment programs, jobs, etcetera. She wrote: “You are a great person and I’m glad that I can tell you so. You bring joy to everyone’s soul. You are a wonderful, amazing woman. I just wanted to let you know!!! Thank you for everything. Love…”
Getting these cards feels like I won the thank you lottery! I would do what I do without their recognition even though I have sometimes been annoyed that each of these girls didn’t follow-up on something I’d shared with them.
Now I have these lovely mementos to pull out and read occasionally when I need their warmth.
Thank you for the thank you’s. It’s never too late to send a note or make a call.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you!
“You bring joy to everyone’s soul.” How very true. Your young friend summed up exactly how I feel about you. Thanks for making an impact on so many people, including me!
Aw, shucks. What a nice thing to say! You’re definitely in the will now.![](http://blog.candelariasilva.com/emoticons/smile.png)
You are spot on Candelaria when you wrote “everyone appreciates recognition”. As humans we need it, we crave it and we respond to it!
I can’t remember as a teenager if I acknowledged in writing a thank you note to those who guided me – I hope I did.
I can certainly understand your joy in receiving these cards. I have been mentoring 3 young people (1 boy, 2 girls) over the last 10 years and only occasional get a phone call or a text.
I do remember to acknowledge my mentor regularly and your post is an excellent reminder as to why this is important.
Be well my friend and keep shining.
Peggy ♥♥♥