Monday, August 21, 2006

Thank You Notes are on My List!!!!!

I know that might sound silly!
Who invented thank-you notes? I would really be interested in the history of them, so if someone knows, please enlighten!

OK, so thank-you notes are not ALWAYS on my list. They're only on my list under certain circumstances.

Yesterday, I dropped off some food for some of our friends from church. They had experienced a death in the family last week. I walked in and saw the widow and her children (who are all grown) sitting a table littered with lists and thank-you notes. I thought how un-offended I would be if I never got one of those notes. Should families in such stressful situations be required to send thank-you notes for flowers and meals? I don't know . . . perhaps it is a chore that will take the family's mind off things for the moment. But it is my opinion that the principle of the situation stands.

Another time that I believe there ought to be some grace given when it comes to thank-you notes is after someone has a baby! Getting thank-you notes out after showers that happen before the baby are not such a problem. But after that baby gets here! Whew! I think that up to one year after the baby is born should be an acceptable time to send out thank-you notes.

3 comments:

Peanut said...

After Marty's accident I had a lot of people do a lot of nice things for me. I wrote thank you notes. I didn't write them out of obligation, but because I really and truly wanted the individuals to know that I appreciated what they did for me and Marty. In fact, I had the conversation with myself where I said, "People don't really expect you to write a bunch of thank you notes with all you are dealing with." And I came back with, "Fine. But I still want to express my thanks, so thank you notes it is." Truthfully, I don't feel like I wrote enough. I didn't write any for my siblings and parents--people who did the most for me. Hopefully those people know how grateful I am for them and all they did.

Peanut said...

I agree on the baby issue. Mom's with new baby's should have an extended thank you note grace period.

MMA Lady said...

I totally agree with you, peanut. If you have the time, energy, and want-to, that is one thing. To feel obligated is another. Like I said, thank-you notes are not always on my list! And I'm sure the family I mentioned feels the same as you about sincerely wanting to thank people that have really helped them out. I guess my point is that, should it be required under such circumstances?