One of the challenges of weeding out toys and stuffed animals from our daughters' room is that they have an uncanny memory for who gave them what, and when. The impassioned pleas tend to wear me down. Hence, the constant need to purge.
They come by it honestly, though. In my own daily life I find I, too, have great affection for stuff other people have given us. Generous friends gave us beautiful wedding gifts (paintings and a homemade quilt come easily to mind), but there's also a dish towel I use that was part of a gift from my high school physics teacher and friend, and water goblets chosen by a fellow book club member who loved hers so much she had to give us some. I know who gave us the fluffy Pottery Barn bath towels, our KitchenAid mixer, and our salad bowl set.
From time to time I've sent a second thank-you note to someone whose gift keeps giving, so they know their wedding present was more than another box we opened post-Honeymoon, more than another plate or towel on a shelf. But maybe what I'm really communicating is, "Hey, you've been significant in our lives for a long time, and I'm thankful for you."
So, with a week left before we celebrate gratitude with our family and turkey and mashed potatoes, I'm going to send out some thank-you notes.
Remember when you were waiting on the doorstep of our newly-purchased home with a six-pack of beer as we turned the keys in the door for the first time? We do too; thanks!
I'm going to thank the friend who sneakily bought me a necklace I admired--the same friend whose patience and generosity with me manifests in so many ways.
There's a colleague of mine who reads this blog and listens to me carefully, finding ways to encourage my interests with books in the mail and other unexpected gifts. I'm grateful for him and people like him.
What about you? Whom can you thank for their enduring gifts this Thanksgiving?
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