Wednesday, December 16, 2015

A Little Thank You

Call me old fashion, but I appreciate a hand written thank you note. 


There's something about getting a note of appreciation from someone.  It doesn't have to be fancy or even store bought. In fact, a simple thank you on a post it note would suffice.  Just the fact that someone wrote a quick message of thanks and dropped it in the mail is enough.  It shows gratitude for whatever it is he or she received, whether it was a gift, a service, or something else.


Alena has been to many birthday parties over the last year and received very few thank you notes!  Maybe this is just the norm now?   


I'm going to continue to be old fashion and write thank you notes for my children until they are old enough to write their own. I think it's important that they continue to do this as they get older because these little notes are definitely appreciated.  Yes, I know most people open the card, read it, and throw it away.  I'm OK with this knowledge as I know they will be grateful to receive the little note in the mail. 


Speaking of mail, isn't it wonderful to receive a letter in the mail?  I hate that electronics have taken this away from most of it. It's so easy to send a text message and email now but there is something special about seeing your name on an envelope in the mailbox, (except when it is a bill).  A couple weeks ago, Alena saw me getting our Christmas cards ready to mail. She decided to make her own cards for some of her cousins.  They were short and sweet but very thoughtful.  It will be fun for her and her cousins to correspond via mail as they get older. 


Last month I received a letter from a new patient I was going to meet for the first time this week.  He introduced himself and indicated he was looking forward to meeting me.  Isn't that just the sweetest thing?


I see over 200 dialysis patients a week and many have become dear friends of mine.  Some patients I know so well we often spend more time talking about social things than medical things.  One particular patient always remembers to write me a thank you note near the holidays. I greatly appreciate this each year and it's a nice reminder of why I do what I do.  I love the patient interaction the most about my job, and why I went into this career.  Today I met a patient who went to high school with Elvis Presley-such interesting people I have met over the last 10 years! 


I think we can all do better with showing others our gratitude by saying thank you, whether that is in written form or verbally.  A thank you is like a compliment, it makes the recipient feel good about him or herself!







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