The Power of a Thank-You Note

In this episode, The Power of a Thank-You Note . . .

Halloween night is a time for spooky fun and neighborhood camaraderie. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the streets, neighbors emerged from their homes, transforming their driveways into festive candy stations.

A familiar face caught my eye as I strolled around the neighborhood, taking in the sights and chitchatting with the neighbors. It was a neighbor I hadn't spoken to in years, a young mother whose daughter had interviewed me for a school project on gemstones and the GIA in 2014.

As I approached her, a spark of nostalgia ignited. "So, how old is your daughter now?" I asked, curious about her journey.

"She's 23," she replied, a smile spreading across her face. "She's studying architecture now."

I was taken aback. "That can't be possible," I exclaimed. "It feels like she interviewed me for her school project just yesterday."

Time had simply flown by unnoticed, and a mere decade had transformed a curious young girl into a budding architect. As we continued our conversation, I couldn't help but reflect on the countless moments that had slipped through my fingers.

Later that evening, as the trick-or-treaters dwindled, I saw this young woman returning home from work. Perhaps it was bold, but I approached her and crossed the street. With a smile, I handed her the thank-you note she had written years ago. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she recognized her handwriting. "I can't believe you still have this!" she exclaimed.

I explained that I had kept it, a reminder of a simple act of kindness that had rippled through time. A soft smile spread across her face as she reread the note. "Wow, thank you for keeping this," she said. "It's really special."

At that moment, I recognized the incredible power of small gestures. A quick interaction, a handwritten note, a shared memory—these threads weave the beautiful tapestry of life.

Often, the most cherished moments are the ones we least expect.

No trick, just treats.

I’m Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Comments

Don Hanley said…

Thanks, Patrick, it is a wonderful reminder to all of us.

November 1, 2024 at 10:17 AM

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