Giving Thanks to the Extra-Ordinary People in Our Lives.
This Thanksgiving, I’m going to ask one thing of you. It is Giving Thanks to the ordinary, extra-ordinary people in our lives and writing to those special people who have helped us in big or little ways. It is something that I found that I enjoy. Giving thanks is my annual tradition. I will write one letter to a person in November. Let them know I am thankful for what they do, who they are, and what they mean to you. It only takes a few minutes. Some years, I write one every week in November. You can buy a card at the Hallmark store or Dollar store. For simplicity, take a simple piece of printer paper and write the note. Please don’t get caught up in finding the perfect notecard or stationary. What is important is the sentiment.
An Annual Tradition of Giving Thanks with Personal Notes
Now, write a note. It doesn’t have to be big, flowery words. Just say, “This November, I’m thankful for you and all you do. You are special in my life because…”. You then expand on it. Tell them something great they did for you when you were eight when you were 23, or yesterday. When they brought you a cup of coffee while you were busy making Thanksgiving pies. Or send one to a family member. Maybe send one to your nephew, who sends crazy pictures of his dog in frequent text messages. It is the everyday people who, in small ways, become the ordinary extra-ordinary ones in so many ways.
Now send it in the mail. Those notes and cards that arrive in the mail with a postage stamp mean so much to the receiver.
Hand-made Fall Cards for Life’s Extraordinary People
This fall, I have been gathering vibrant leaves on my morning walks. *A side note on why. Our recently retired and adopted greyhound, Rosie, likes to take “sniff” walks. We slowly stroll as she sniffs every blade of grass. I have time to find and pick up leaves to pass the minutes ~ wink & smile. I then bring them home and put them in books to flatten, press, and dry. For a bit, I didn’t know what I would do with the leaves. Then I thought I’d like to send them to friends. Then I went on to imagine Thanks-giving cards. (I spell it that way because that is how I feel about them.)
When the leaves are flat and dry, it usually takes a couple of days. Use a glue stick to hold them in place while you embellish them. I sewed/embroidered them with embroidery floss and metallic threads. A few of them I taped with washi tape. Then, I added handwritten sayings and poems to finish. They didn’t take much time, but I like how they turned out. Here is the link for more instructions.
Small Gifts to Ordinary Extra-ordinary People Showing Giving and Thanks
Another thing you could do to say “Thank You” if you’re baking is to make a little pie. Again, for Giving Thanks to the ordinary, extra-ordinary people in our lives. Put it out for the postal carrier with a note saying, “Thank you for being here every day, rain or shine. I appreciate you.” Or run it out to the garbage collector when they’re out at the curb taking care of the cans. Maybe give one to someone at church who always has a smile for you every Sunday morning when they hand you the program. Perhaps you don’t bake, but you could do something in your way to say “Thank You.”
Please give thanks this November to the people in your life. People need to know how you feel. It doesn’t have to be grand or for just the big things in life. It can be a thank you for being there with a smile when I need it. Especially on those bad days, like when you come home and look at your husband with the day’s frustration built up. Then he says, “I already ordered the pizza”. We have many things to be thankful for every day. I am grateful for you reading this and spending time with me. I wish you a Happy November.
Please note – This journal prompt came from A Carefully Curated Life’s November Giving Thanks eBook. It’s part of our Loving the Ordinary List blog series and Curated Life Membership. For more information on how we celebrate home, garden, the seasons, and life, join our newsletter or private Facebook group.
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