I got a little something in the mail yesterday. Something simple, but hardly negligible, at least in my opinion.
A note of thanks. Thanks for staying at their establishment. Thanks for considering staying again.
You might look at this as good business, and you’d be right, but they took the time to hand-write it. While a form letter would’ve been nice, this took more time. It made me feel valued as a customer, and it seemed personal to them that we chose their hotel over every other one in Austin.
I was raised to write thank-you notes. It’s part of the Robinson family code to express our thanks in writing, and one that I’ve handed down; still, to this day, I put a box of fresh note cards in my girls’ stockings every year. I believe it’s a dying art in our electronic world, which saddens me to my core. There is something about holding a card written in someone’s uniquely original hand, knowing that they held it, and allowed their thoughts toward me to flow freely from their brain, right out through the tip of that pen. Many years after the fact, I can hold an old card like that and feel a connection with the writer not quite like any other, even if they are longtime residents of heaven.
There is an art to gratitude. The words painted on a blank page somehow color the world in bright, exquisite hues, and turn our usual dark glasses into a rose-colored lens. Pull out some note cards today and try it. Show someone the value they crave with the words from your own heart and hand, and color the world thankful.
Let’s brighten the place up.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17 ESV
**Because I know some of you are wondering, we found “Mikey’s” owner yesterday. We all have some mixed feelings about it! 🙂
I loved this post! There is nothing like the personal touch! Thank you’s and notes can be a treasure to the one receiving them.
omgosh … just today i began a new relationship with a healthcare provider who will take over after a long 30+ year relationship that i’ve had until just recently… the first thing i did when i got home was write pull out the nicest thank you cards i have, and sit down and write my thank you. i too was raised to write a thank you, and as you know i’ve raised my kids that way to. i’ve never thought of it as anything but the right way ..and i feel pretty blessed to know this. i’m going back to the hotel staint cecilia..and i bet you are too!! XOOXOX
i need to use spell check …