Now that some of our children have grown and left home, I’ve been in the process of de-cluttering, organizing and rearranging rooms. I came to a stack of “Thank You” notes and letters that I have been holding onto, not knowing for sure what to do with them. I suddenly found that my decision making ability quickly stalled as I started to re-read many of these notes.
I know the importance of creating space and of getting rid of clutter, but it never feels right for me to just throw these heartfelt messages away; so I hold on to them, telling myself I’ll decide what to do with them later.
Most of these messages were handwritten on cards, stationary or just plain paper. Some were from friends of my grown children, thanking us not just for a wedding gift or H.S. graduation money but for being made to feel welcome in our home while they were growing up or expressing appreciation for our example.
Some notes were from dear friends expressing gratitude for our shared friendship. Others were in response to a service given. The notes from friends who have since passed away were especially poignant.
Other notes were from my children at various ages. Some written with the encouragement of teachers in carefully penned, childhood handwriting and others scrawled or drawn with hearts and stick figures making me smile with their sincere words of love.
All of these notes were saved because they expressed more than just a short thank you. The senders had each taken time to think about and express their gratitude. These messages came from the heart!
Some people may think of that stack of notes as clutter, but I don’t. I think of it as love; messages of love given and received from the heart.
Think back to a time when you received a thank you and were touched by the message. Remember how it felt. Just remembering brings that positive feeling back to you and can lift your mood. Doing so also increases your desire to share that love with others.
I found myself with a smile on my face and a lightened heart. I received the gift of their love once again and was lifted just as I had been when I had first received the messages. What a gift I had been given, not just once or even twice but for as many times as I choose to read them.
This is the week of Thanksgiving here in the United States. It is a wonderful time to review and contemplate the blessings that surround us. I encourage each of you to take some time for yourself and dig out those old thank you notes, (if you’re anything like me and kept them all) or just reflect with gratitude on the blessings that surround you and open yourselves to receiving and sharing the powerful gift of love!
I think I’ll hold on to those “Thank You” notes just a little while longer.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Love,
Melanie, I could have written this same letter. Re-reading thank you notes, do raise your vibration back to the time you received them, reminding you of their love and appreciation for you. Thank you for sharing, as my energy was raised too with your blog today. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.
Thank you Peggi!