Letters of Gratitude and Appreciation
A Thanksgiving Tradition
Eleven years ago, Tina and I established a Thanksgiving tradition of writing a personal note of gratitude and appreciation to a few people who made a positive impact on our lives or remembered something they did that touched us. One of those special someone is my friend, Gail. For those of you who are new to Sundays with Stella, she was my supervisor when I worked in the library at Brooks Institute. She helped me through a difficult period in my life and offered unwavering moral support and encouragement. After graduation, we kept in touch and became close friends. Last year, I flew to Coeur D’Alene for a short visit and afterward, wrote this post.
I am so grateful that I unearthed this precious email. Timely that she wrote it 10 years ago before she was diagnosed with dementia. It brings a bittersweet joy to my heart.
November 28, 2013
4:05 am, San Francisco, CA.
Dear Gail,
How have you been? I hope you are well. Tina and I started this tradition last year where we each remember a few people and write them a short note of appreciation on Thanksgiving day. This year, you came to my mind.
I just want to say thank you for all the encouragement and praise you've given me while I was in school. Remember that time I missed my shift and you didn't get angry at me? You told me you were disappointed with my action but you continued to be understanding and still became a positive force in my life. That really meant a lot. I never had that kind of experience growing up. You are one of those special people who helped me become who I am today. Thank you.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving day!
Love,
Stella
______
November 28, 2013
11:18 am, Santa Barbara, CA.
My dear Stella,
I sit here with tears in my eyes on this day of Thanksgiving. I, too, have much to be thankful for, especially your kind words and your friendship.
You were always one of my favorite Brookies, a gift. I couldn't be mad at you that day because I knew you had to be doing something you needed to do. You were very dependable.... and you were at Brooks to learn photography, not to shelve books. I may have put on my stern look for the sake of the staff. I think they thought I favored you.
I knew you would be a success, and I love your big smile, the chuckle that comes with it, and the energy you exhibit. You have an empathy for people and an awareness of your surroundings that shows very much through your photography. (Thank you for sending me some of your work. The Stella file that I enjoy looking at is growing...)
Stella, I love you. I think you are a very special gift and I feel honored to have you in my life.
Love to you and Tina,
Gail
Here's a quote from my saved folder—something to ponder on and perhaps, a gentle nudge to express appreciation to someone you may have overlooked but who genuinely cares and values you and the people around them.
It all matters. That someone turns out the lamp, picks up the windblown wrapper, says hello to the invalid, pays at the unattended lot, listens to the repeated tale, folds the abandoned laundry, plays the game fairly, tells the story honestly, acknowledges help, gives credit, says good night, resists temptation, wipes the counter, waits at the yellow, makes the bed, tips the maid, remembers the illness, congratulates the victor, accepts the consequences, takes a stand, steps up, offers a hand, goes first, goes last, chooses the small portion, teaches the child, tends to the dying, comforts the grieving, removes the splinter, wipes the tear, directs the lost, touches the lonely, is the whole thing.
What is most beautiful is least acknowledged.
― Laura McBride, We Are Called to Rise
I close this post with a heartfelt thank you to all of you dear ones who have tuned in weekly to Sundays with Stella. Thank you to my sister Malyn and my friends, Carina and Ed, for believing in me via your paid subscriptions. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the ❤️ you leave on posts that resonated with you. A special acknowledgment also goes to YOU who quietly read my words and embrace my art. I see you even if I don’t hear from you. There is a sheer number of things to attend to in our lives that keep grabbing our attention. All the more reason I feel grateful to you for choosing to spend a fraction of your time with me every week. I can’t say that enough.
Maraming, Maraming Salamat. (Thank you very much).
Your turn, dear readers. Have you ever received a letter of appreciation from someone you least expected or sent it to someone from your past who made an impact in your life? As always, let’s meet each other in the comments section below.
See you all next Sunday!
ps. I am also offering a 10% discount and free shipping on my collage art prints from the Coffee collage series. It’s another way to show your support for this newsletter. The offer ends on November 30th.
As to letters? Yes, I have a few stashed away which I hope my family enjoy reading one day. I agree so much with what you say - let people know what they have meant to you. It's a little thing with big impact.
And thank you for another lovely quote which I must write in my journal. Happy day, Stella.
Such a lovely post, Stella - I'm so glad you shared these letters. Wonderful.