A Word of Thanks

We went to our first high school choir concert this week, and were blown away by the repertoire and talent of these kids. When we were in high school we sang pop music with a few slightly more serious pieces thrown in here and there. These kids were singing real music, pieces with poetry and depth and musical texture. Some of it was even overtly Christian.

So when we got home, I wrote a quick email to the choir director thanking her for choosing such great music. Because if we don't thank people when we are pleased with their work, how will they know that we like what they are doing? A timely note of thanks is not only a kind encouragement, it also keeps people moving in the same direction. Which is especially important in a public school, when others may be criticizing the very things we are so happy with.

The next evening I mentioned to my husband that I had written a nice note to the choir director. He smiled and said, "I did too." So now either we look like we never talk to one another, or like we are on some kind of a campaign.

How about you? Who could use a little note of thanks from you today?

Real Mail

It's clean out your fridge day. Are you cleaning yours? I'm not, but I did clean the floors, so that's something. And I raked leaves. That's huge for me.

Yesterday I got a letter in the mail from the mother of one of my childhood friends. It was delightful to hear from her after all these years. We were never very close; I probably played over at this woman's house a handful of times in all those years I was in school with her daughter. But it was so nice to hear from her and sense that she's interested in what has become of me.

And it made me think, how often do I wonder about someone from my past, but don't try to make contact? Writing a letter or an email can be kind of scary. I worry that the recipient will think I'm strange, or that they won't write me back and I'll sit around feeling like they have rejected me, even though probably they thought my letter was nice but were too busy to write back. Or worst of all, maybe they won't even remember me.

Letter writing is a real ministry. There's just nothing like the feeling of a sweet note waiting for you in the mailbox when you least expect it. People don't hang onto emails, but think of all the letters you've saved over the years. I think of my cherished letters from my grandma, who used to write letters to us every week. And notes and letters from my friend who is so good at writing "real" letters.

So I'm going to write this woman back, and I'm also going to keep her letter to remind me that it's nice to get "real mail" when you least expect it. And while I'm at it, I'm going to pay it forward and write a note to someone else. I don't know who yet; maybe someone from my past or maybe someone I see regularly. If you'll join me, we can start a letter-writing campaign and resurrect a lost art.