Time for Donkey's Shame

For myself, sometimes it feels like my entire gas tank of creativity turns to fumes the moment I sit down, pen and stationery in hand.  Yet, I do appreciate it when someone gives me a gift or does something kind.   And I love getting thank you notes, myself.

I also know that I feel resentment and, okay, somewhat bitter when I have gone out of my way to find the perfect gift for someone, or done a huge favor, and I get... no thanks.  Dead silence like when a bad comedian really, really bombs.  Crickets.  Certainly doesn't make me want to knock myself out getting a gift for that person again, or doing any big favors.

So, I always write my thank you notes, and with a little help from my friends (good books and great websites), can usually get through it without too much blood, sweat and tears.   Sometimes when I do, I even hear back, "You've made me so very happy," about my note.

from Wikihow:

State what the person did for you and the impact it had on you. If someone did something kind, tell them the effect it had on your day, week etc. If someone sent you money, tell them how you plan to spend it. If you are thanking someone for a gift, write about how you will use it. Little touches like mentioning how a lamp you received from the person matches the color-scheme in your room perfectly and so forth, go a long way here.

• Take this opportunity to write about something else you appreciate about the person.
• Wish them well. If the person in question is not a relative, you can say that you hope their family is doing well too if this seems appropriate in the context.

for more great tips:  http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter-of-Appreciation

Here's another couple of great sites:
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/writing-a-thank-you-note/
http://www.thank-you-note-examples-and-tips.com/

I can also recommend Robyn Spizman's The Thank You Book.  (ISBN 1-56352-141-5)

Go ahead, get creative.  Draw a little sketch.  Write a poem, or a song.  Or if you can't, do what my son did one year - dragged me in front of the TV and said, "Watch this, Mom.  They're singing everything I want to say to you, only they did it first."


Awwwwh!  Still makes me get all misty.

So what are you waiting for?  You've got a golden opportunity to make someone you love (or, if not somebody you love, at least somebody you want to work with in relative harmony) feel very good about you.
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