Letters of the Heart – March 2014

   Often in the pressure of the daily grind, we take many of life’s blessings for granted. We accept the teaching of our teachers, the ministry of our ministers, the leadership of our leaders, and the friendship of our friends. Each of these people has contributed to us being who we are, but we often accept their contributions without noticing.

   This spring, along with our sense of renewal, hope, and promise, let us also remember that one of the greatest gifts we can give is to acknowledge someone’s contribution to us. The following story is a reminder of how powerful that gift can be.

   A university professor began reflecting on the people who’d had a positive impact on his life.    In particular he remembered a schoolteacher who’d gone out of her way to instill in him a love of poetry. He hadn’t seen or spoken to her in many years, but he located her address and sent her a letter of thanks. A short time later, he received this reply:

    I cannot tell you how much your note meant to me. I am in my eighties, living alone in a small room, cooking my own meals, lonely, and, like the last leaf of autumn, lingering behind. You will be interested to know that I taught school for 50 years and yours is the first note of appreciation I ever received. It came on a blue-cold morning, and it cheered me as    nothing has in many years.

   The teacher’s note brought the professor to tears—and then he began searching for others who’d shaped his life, just to say thanks.

   Who in your current or early life deserves your appreciation? This March as we’re coming out of financial crisis around the world, there is much to give thanks for. Don’t forget those who’ve made you possible.

Sincerely,