With the holidays approaching and Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time to think about those who’ve helped in the past year, and about what they’ve meant to you. In my family, Thanksgiving is our biggest holiday, a longstanding priority my entire life. My grandmother told her two adult children (my mum and Uncle Fred) when they were newly married, “I don’t care what you do for Christmas, I get Thanksgiving.” Little did Grandma know at the time that her declaration would spawn a family tradition spanning more than 70 years and now encompasses cross-country flights to include more than 30 relatives. And it’s the best party ever!
But what’s the holiday really about? Gratitude – with a capital G. The celebrations begin on Wednesday with welcoming bear hugs and teasing, and stretch through to tearful goodbyes on Sunday, with promises (mostly kept) of seeing each other the following year, if not many times in between. In fact, I think our whole group over the decades has missed fewer than ten of these gatherings.
Gratitude expressed in grace over the Thanksgiving feast, through music and singing “We Gather Together,” or in simply spending time with one another and a grateful heart, is what the weekend is about—no presents to worry over, just special family time with the ones you love.
Which brings me to the college process and the value of students saying thank you to all those who’ve helped them get to the point of successfully completing and sending applications. Teachers wrote recommendation letters, counselors advised with their sage wisdom, coaches encouraged them to achieve their best, and then, in some cases, advocated to many colleges on their behalf. And then the parents and peers who’ve stood alongside have empathetically shared the sweat and tears over the arduous process. Phew! That’s a lot of people who can get overlooked, but they shouldn’t! Students should run to their computer or to a stationery store, think about all those who’ve helped, and get writing thank-you notes!
This gesture doesn’t cost a dime, but its value lasts forever. The profound impact of a simple act of kindness and the importance of expressing love and appreciation to others make everyone feel valued. If you don’t believe me, read the story All Good Things, by Sister Helen P. Mrosla. There isn’t a right or wrong way to create a thank-you note. The important thing is to send one and not wait forever until the note is so late it feels like an afterthought.
So, in this spirit of Thanksgiving, I want to thank all the students, families, and co-workers who’ve welcomed me into their lives and hearts. Their gifts have far outweighed what I hoped to impart along the way. I’m an immensely better human because of each and every person I’ve been lucky enough to work with. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all!
See? That wasn’t so hard, and I hope it put a smile on your face! 😊
And if students are really stuck, here are some templates for short thank-you messages they can use or customize by adding some specific and personal comments:
For Teachers and Coaches
- Thank you for your guidance and support throughout the year. Your encouragement has made a difference in my life.
- I appreciate all the hard work you put into helping me learn and grow. Thank you for being an inspiring teacher/coach.
- Your dedication and kindness have made school a better place. Thank you for everything you do.
For Counselors
- Thank you for listening and guiding me when I needed support. Your advice means a lot to me.
- I appreciate your encouragement and wisdom during the college process. Thank you for always being there for me.
- Your help and care have made a real difference in my life. Thank you for your support.
Don’t forget – You can send these messages as a handwritten thank-you card, or email for a thoughtful gesture. Happy Thanksgiving!!
