The Power of a Thank You!

01.16.13, by admin

BY MARCIA LEIGH

Everyone seems to have one, but very seldom do we take the time to look into it. As if it is a forgotten memory, yet we keep them filled with what we consider to be our most valuable times in our lives. Yes, I am referring to the memory box. You know the one…it holds the old love letters from a once forgotten high school boyfriend, the first concert ticket stub from your favorite band, the photo you took with your college buds after one too many drinks. Well this weekend I went into my memory box so I could find a flier that I was going to write about. Instead I found something that is much more meaningful to me and worthy of sharing. I found a simple hand written thank you note from a mere child of no more than seven or so.

This note isn’t just from anyone, it was written to me by my big sister Denise probably sometime in the late 1970′s (I know it to be around this time as the back of the card is dated 1974) and it is written in her young child-like scripture. As we all can assume this note was probably coerced by mother for her to write to me for a birthday gift or something that my mom probably bought on my behalf. Nothing too exciting about this, as I’m sure most parents do this sort of thing between siblings. However, there are two things that strike me as unique about this situation. First, being that I still have this card from my sister since the 70′s (okay I’m giving away my age a little too much here…insert smiley face) and second I had totally forgotten that I had it. To me this isn’t just a simple card from one sibling to another when they were kids…this card is much more than that. To be honest, I would have never thought that a simple thank you card from my sister would make me feel so close to her and my day that much better.

I came to PSW Homes in January of this year, and in February our team went to the training seminar of a wonderful man by the name of Steve Rigby. I was very reluctant of going at first, not because of the seminar, but because of where it was located. The location was in Spicewood, Texas and as to some that is far, yet to others it’s right down the road. To me it was a painful drive to a place I had not been in 4 years. You see my sister, Denise, lost her life in a very tragic camping accident right down the road at Pace Bend Park. I didn’t look forward to that drive because the last time that I had driven that way I was in a panic, and I had received a phone call from my mom saying the divers had found my sister at the bottom of Lake Travis. Knowing the place I was getting ready to go to was on that same lake not a mile away made me cringe, yet I went and I dealt with my emotions anyway.

During the seminar Steve talked about the importance and consideration of sending someone a simple hand written thank you note. Emphasizing that something so easy for you to do can change a person’s day for the better, or even change their lives forever. During the break I went up to Mr. Rigby (which he prefers me not to refer him as…insert smiley face) and I told him the story of how I remember my mom making me and my sister write each other thank you notes.  She would tell us that one day we would appreciate it, and saying that it would make our day better for doing it. In the same conversation I also told Steve of my sisters passing right down the road from his house, he remembered it very well as it was breaking news that day. I will never forget his kind sentiments to learning this heartbreaking part of my life and I will always cherish them, as I will Steve.

At PSW Homes we embrace the idea of a thank you note because you just never know what the impact may be. To date I have personally sent out around 78 or so thank you notes, which is much less than I probably should have by now. Although, each one I write I hope it makes that person smile and their day a little brighter. As a child I never truly understood the concept of a thank you card…thinking it silly, but as an adult I completely understand the importance. A simple thank you note cannot only make some ones day, It could quit possibly change their life.

When I found the thank you card my sister wrote to me I wasn’t exactly having the greatest of days. So seeing that card made me smile with its childish sentiment and my day at that moment changed. It made me realize to appreciate the people in your life as you never know when they may be gone. As simple of a card with the heart and the word thanks written in the center, thanking me for the gift that she really liked it meant more to me than anything at that moment. Well this is my thank you card to my sister, Denise….

Thank you for the gift of being my sister. I cherish the time I had with you, the laughs that we shared, and the memories you left. I love you!

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