Every once in a while my head takes a vacation from world events and politics. This time, as my eyes roamed around my office, I spotted the huge, more than lifetime supply of note papers with pretty matching envelopes that people for reasons I can't fathom, thought I used in great quantity. Actually, I send very few handwritten notes as I prefer the brevity and convenience of email. However, the few in my life who won't have computers are also the ones who write lovely handwritten thank you notes, usually either in gorgeous, cursive hand, or the other alternative...chicken scratchings that are totally illegible.
Writing a note requires a stern lecture to myself. I need to rationalize doing so is not wasting too much of my life. I think back to the hours of my childhood spent practicing the Palmer Method to perfect my handwriting. Now the only ones who notice are eight year olds learning 'cursive' who say, "Gee, you write really good!". Now we have keyboards that produce (ignoring the occasional missed typo) notes than can be understood as English, whether one agrees with the contents or not. Actually I experience only a few seconds of guilt when I send thank-you notes by email. I save time, 43 cents, energy....elements which are usually more important to me than whether an old-fashioned friend thinks I have violated Emily Post.
I struggle whether just to throw the whole lot of unused cards out, or use them up (a hangover of conflict with me since the Great Depression). It doesn't seem that any charitable organization would take them. Most people low on cash won't want to spend the 43 cents for postage when they can go to the Public Library and email for free. The thought sets my fantasy factory to work. I think of a homeless person writing one to the shelter from which dinner was served.
Dear Server Person:
Thank you for serving me the lovely dinner of leftovers from the Thai restaurant last evening. It is my favorite food, made even more enjoyable by your smile and cheerful greeting as you slapped the food into the dish on my tray. It sure beats dumpster diving.
Yours truly, the homeless person with the 3 day old beard and no knees in my jeans.
On the other hand, I might use a thank you note like this:
Dear (dinner guest):
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a thank you note, by hand, for having been my guest at dinner last night. It was kind of you to acknowledge and thank me for my having taken so much time to plan a meal, shop for ingredients, cook for hours, tidy up the usually messy house, serve the meal, then clean up the dining room and klitchen afterwards. So often, those efforts go entirely unappreciated.
I'm writing this note to thank you for your note since you are unlikely to give me another reason for thanking you. I've never received a return invitation and have given up expecting one. However, your taking the time to write a note is very touching and gives me an opportunity to get rid of one of my huge supply of blank note paper and envelopes.
Sincerely, (Your hostess)
Trash collectors probably don't get thanked often but I didn't know an address to mail them a note. I finally decided they wouldn't mind my holding up their truck long enough to hand them an envelope (I will print it since many of them may not have stayed in school long enough to learn cursive) and hand it to the driver. (It will also save the 43 cent postage!)
Dear Trash Collectors:
Your job must be difficult with all the smelly stuff my neighbors and I throw out weekly. You and the crew do your jobs quickly and seem happy though I can't understand your language to be sure that is what you are talking about. I try to make your job easier by not putting my trash in heavy cans, though I apologize if some animals like to tear at the plastic bags so that things begin to fall out when you pick them up. Since I have never thanked you before, I want to thank you now. Keep up the great work. We benefit by being able to store more stuff that you can take when it gets old, and you benefit from the exercise you get while being paid.
Yours truly,
The old lady in the brick house
Maybe I should go back to thinking about politics and world events......
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