“Your Notes” is a place for you to share your notes of appreciation — or, if you’d rather not share the actual note, just tell us about the person you appreciate. What did they do and what do you appreciate about them?
This page is also a place for you to come for inspiration from other people’s notes. When people share their notes and stories, the good feelings spread far beyond the original recipient, and many people will be inspired to also share appreciation.
And to help inspire even more people, all notes and stories posted on this page will be considered for publication in a book about the Note Project. If your note or story is selected, we will contact you, and you will receive two free copies of the book — one for you, and one for the person you appreciate!
Please scroll down to the “Comments” box to add your note or story. Be sure to read some of the other notes and stories along the way!
Dear Grandma,
Thank you for everything you have done for me, and for being an amazing grandmother to me all my life! I appreciate you for being so kind, loving, caring, gentle, and humorous everytime I get to see you. One of my favorite memories is Christmas time with you, when you used to always give me never-ending bags of presents that I looked forward to so much. Youre the best, love your phee.
Dear Tiffany Young,
You are the best bestfriend I could ever ask for, I appreciate you tons <3 You are so funny, caring(when you wanna be;), loving and interesting! We have TONS of amazing memories but one of my favorites is when we became friends in fourth grade, after our teacher made you pick a friend out of the class who was a girl. You chose me, now we're bestfriends in highschool. Love always, Phoen!
Dear dad,
I appreciate you so much, just to let you know! You are one of the most strongest, helpful, considerate, and loving people I know. One of my favorite memories has got to be when you bought my favorite beanie baby when I was a toddler. It went everywhere with me and I cherished it until I grew up. Love always, Phoe
Dear mommy,
You are honestly one of the most funniest, caring, helpful people I know. I couldn’t appreciate anyone more than you, because we’ve stuck by eachother through thick and thin. One of my favorite memories is us singing random songs to brighten up both of our moods and to just have a great time. Love you!
Dear Mom,
You are the most strongest, and courageous person I know. One of my most favorite memories is of the time when you let my brother and I bring the dog with us to San Francisco and sneak her on the boat ride to Alcatraz. Another memories that sticks out to me, was when you, Kyle, and I got lost driving to Pismo beach and we ended up in an unknown location (to us at least) with no one near other than the sand and water. That day was to only family. I liked the fact that it felt serial because we didn’t fight and Kyle behaved like no other. For those beautiful memories and more you have created with me.
Thank You
Dear Olivia Wink,
I miss you SO much, it’s a lot different without you here. You were always there for me when I needed you, and for that I am forever grateful. We never talked much before, but the start of this school year brought us close. You have really helped me with certain situations, and you are always there to talk when I need you, which happens to be a lot. And now that you have moved schools, and seem so far away, you will still always going to be very close in my heart. You are a strong, warm-hearted, and accepting person and that makes you even more amazing than you already are. I am glad I have the right to call you my friend and I appreciate all the help you have given me. I can never thank you enough.
On September 27, I celebrated my 60th birthday–actually, I celebrated all month! In a way, that celebration continues into October. Beginning the evening of my birthday, I began to reflect on the many friends and relatives who are blessings in my life, and I started writing thank-you notes to each individual or couple, telling them the very special way(s) in which they have made my life better. In addition, this evening I just wrote a long letter to my son (our only child), describing the ways in which my life has been blessed–starting with my parents, then my brother and sister, then my husband, and finally with him. Here’s how that last portion read: “And then the icing on the cake came on August 1, 1980: YOU. Byron, I couldn’t have hoped for a more loving son than you have always been. From the time you were born, you were always good natured, always a pleasure to be around. It’s been a joyful privilege to watch you grow up and explore your world and to have you in our family, enjoying activities together. Now you’ve matured into a grown man and are happily married to Rachael, a beautiful woman inside and out, who also appreciates and loves you without limitation. Byron, you have a wonderful life ahead of you, and I thank God for the blessing and honor of being your mother. Love, Mom”
Dear Mr. Hisle,
My name is Annmarie Tait. I’m sure you won’t remember me, but I met you in the summer of 1968 when you were a rookie player for the Philadelphia Phillies. My sister was a friend of Bernadette Lawrence who lives at the corner of Musgrave Street and Gorgas Lane in Mt. Airy, PA. It is hard for me to remember the details of how all of this came about because I was only eleven years old at the time, but I’ll do the best I can. I think you had a date with Bernadette Lawrence you arrived at our house (on Chew Ave.) with Bernie to pick up my sister Kathy and her date.
I can still remember how excited my Dad was that one of the Philadelphia Phillies was going to be standing right in his living room. It’s all he talked about through dinner that night.
What you didn’t know the night you met my dad was that he had been out of work on strike (he was a steel worker) for two months. Money was very tight and on top of that my brother was in boot camp at Fort Bragg, NC at the height of the Vietnam War. It was a very tense and stressful time for our family – but not that night.
The night Larry Hisle came to our house and shook my dad’s hand is considered a Tait family “Hall of Fame” moment in our hearts. You arrived just in time to brighten a rather gloomy time in our family history.
Even though I was only eleven in 1968 you made quite an impression on me, but not because you were a professional baseball player. What I noticed mostly was how you shook my father’s hand and addressed him as if he were the most important person in the room – as if he were the celebrity. And I don’t mean in a surface kind of plastic way. You were shy and sincere and you thanked Dad for welcoming you into our home as if we were doing you a big favor. I’ll never be able to convey to you what that little moment in time meant to my father.
Dad is many years in Heaven now. While cleaning out a closet the other day I ran across an old shoebox stuffed with his favorite mementoes. Sitting right on top was the photo of Dad shaking your hand. On the back he wrote – “Me and Larry” as if you were best friends. Under that is the date and the words “one proud moment” – and it sure was.
I just wanted to write and thank you Mr. Hisle for making my Dad feel so special and important, for he certainly was to me. God bless your kind heart.
Sincerely,
Annmarie B. Tait
Thanks for sharing this, Annmarie!
Carol, I have known you now for a little over a year. We met through business, but became friends through several emails back and forward. I need to tell you that you became a very important friend in my life as several weeks into our friendship, my mother was in ICU for 9 weeks and subsequently passed away. This was devastating to me, and I also had wonderful support from my family. But Carol, your warmth and care that came through your messages to me, even though we have never met, will never be forgotten. You indeed got me through some very hard days, always praying for me and my family. Always kind and gentle. Always understanding. For me our friendship is set in stone. I hope we do get to meet one day, and if not, we will be friends forever. Thanks for coming into my life Carol!!
Barbara, my husband and I have just gotten back from our beach house in Morehead City, NC. As you may know, this area was hit pretty hard by Hurricane Irene. We left Wednesday as we heard not to come much earlier than this because we may not get through. Thank to the good Lord, we did not have any damage. i believe we had two half shingles on the ground. What a blessing.
You touched my heart as you talked about your mom. I could really relate to you because I had gone through the same thing with my mom in 2001, and had also lost my dad back in the 90′s and my brother in 2000. There was a true connection between us as we began to share information.
I believe we go through some hard times in our lives so that we can help others somewhere down the road. We can truly have empathy and compassion for others when they go through something we have already gone through. We know because we have been there. I knew how you were feeling, because I had felt the same emotions you were dealing with. I so wanted to be a bigger help than I was, but we were too many miles apart. One day I hope to meet you too.
There are many days that I think of you and wonder how you are doing. You are not far from my heart and mind. There was a reason God put us together. He is always on time. What an awesome God we serve, and what an awesome friend He sent my way.
I am most happy to be in your life and am thankful that you are in mine.
Dear Sir,
You may not know my name because I’m not an every-day patron at the McDonalds where you work. When you see me—perhaps three or four mornings month—you greet me with cheer and respect.
“Good morning, sir. How I can help you?” And you mean it.
Your commitment to prepare the best oatmeal you can prepare is an act of love: You mix the grain, fruit and cream, and then you return to the counter to take my two dollars and change.
“Have a good day, sir.” And you mean it.
I wonder what your story is: What led you to take this job, what is your life (outside the realm of the Golden Arches), like? Do your boss, family and friends appreciate you as much as this happy customer values you?
Bless you, sir.
Nicely written. I hope others value his manners as you do.
I wanted to write a letter of appreciation for my daughter, Anika. My sweet daughter is my first born, came into this world and the moment I set eyes upon her, I knew she was the most beautiful baby ever! I spent many days and nights with no adult company in those first few years, as her Dad worked many hours. Anika, ever curious, always a chatterbox, gave me such joy in those years. Now Anika is a beautiful young woman, with a daughter of her own. I was blessed to have a wonderful couple of weeks recently, bonding with my new Grand daughter and spending time with my daughter too.
After losing my mother last year, I was devastated. At the same time as she passed, Anika was pregnant with Isabella. In my depths of despair, I knew that this child would give me the will to go on, to become the Grand mother that my mother would want me to be to this beautiful little girl.
I hope you know, Anika, how much I appreciate the phone calls, the care about my health, your concern for my welfare always. The support you give me, the shoulder I need sometimes. Your love and care for your family is a wonderful thing, and for this I am grateful.
I love you xoxo
Growing up, I was responsible for my younger sister who is 4 years younger than I am. Since my parents owned their own business, they were very busy. I remember I had to go to PTA meeting (which I saw my high school teachers at because they had middle school kids), band recitals, open houses, etc. I also remember throwing a sweet 16 surprise party, picking her up from practices, and baby sitting her. I wasn’t sure if she did appreciate all that I had done for her. On the day she graduated high school, I did get a card from her and she was expressing how much she appreciated all that I did for her and how much time and energy was given. She had gone on and it was a very emotional card. We are not very demonstrative as a family and so this was somewhat of a surprise. A pleasant one I might add! The funny thing is at the end of the card, she put “Ok, enough of this mushy stuff! Thank you!” That card though was the perfect sentiment for all the years I was there for her and made it all the worth while.
Dear Sandy,
How can I thank someone for being in my life? How can I put into words the way my heart beats outside of my chest and I get a little teary and excited as I pull into the parking lot of your office, anticipating your reaction as I appear around the corner bearing a bouquet of roses for you? Maya Angelou (God, I love her!) said, “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” That’s the thing—by giving to you I can feel myself rise above myself; I do so not for me, though. It’s all about you and making you realize that the day of your birth, each and every year, was the day God added another flourish of color to the world with His paintbrush. I am honored to be part of the canvas of your life. I found these lines on a card by Curly Girl Designs, my favorite card company: “Friends, whose faith in you can lift you right up out of yourself…” and, “We all let people into our lives, but you will find that a really good friend lets you into your own.” You may be one person in the world, but in my world you are one of the focal points of the universe. Thank you for being you.
Thank you, Sandy, for befriending me when I was the little girl living next door; for all the insightful conversations we’ve had over the years; for sharing your dogs Katie, Mocha, Rascal, and Lucy with me; for reminding me of my favorite actress, Goldie Hawn; for making my heart flutter with excitement upon arriving to spend time with you; for making me feel better about myself every time you’re near; for giving me a priceless reaction whenever I bring you flowers on your birthday; for always introducing me to others as your surrogate daughter; for embracing me, sweaty palms and all; for always writing me thank-you notes, as we both know it’s a lost art; for being a light in my world whenever it appears dark; for simply being you.
Thank you for making my day, my week, my month, my year, by quitting smoking. You have no idea how proud I am of you! And how many nights I prayed for you to stop, so that you could realize your full potential and importance of your life to this world.
Love,
Maria
Dear Mom,
I was only eight years old when you took me to the hospital to visit Pop-Pop. I didn’t know then that it would be the last time I would ever see him. I didn’t know there would be no more walks with him to Sid’s corner store for vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries sandwiched between two sweet golden waffles. No more hearing him sing, “Her name was Mary, Mary, plain as any name can be”, to Mom-Mom. I had no idea it was all coming to an end, but you did, and you took me to see him.
I imagine a lot of people would think it wrong to take a child to the hospital to visit a grandparent choked in the grip of end stage emphysema and heart disease, but you didn’t, and you took me to see him.
I’ll never forget how gray Pop-Pop looked or the hole in his throat for the tracheotomy tube. But more than anything I remember the nurse asking us to leave the room so she could give Pop-Pop his treatment. As we waited in the hall just outside of his room the nurse wheeled in a cart with a machine on it that connected to the tracheotomy tube. Then she turned the machine on and it suctioned out the congestion Pop-Pop’s diseased lungs could no longer filter. The sound of it turned my stomach and I put my hands up to cover my ears.
“Mom, What’s wrong with Pop-Pop?”
“What’s wrong is that he’s smoked for the last 50 years, Annie. And what you see now is how it took Pop-Pop’s good health away from him.” He was only sixty-six years old then.
When the nurse completed the treatment she invited us back into the room. In a little while I kissed Pop-Pop for the last time and we headed for home. As we stood at the bus stop I remember you asking me to tell you about what I saw at the hospital and I described every minute of our visit in great detail especially the part where the nurse gave him his “treatment”.
“I don’t imagine you’ll ever forget this will you Annie?”
I shook my head “no” slow and deliberately mulling it all over in my mind.
It made such an impression on me that I made up my mind that day that I would never as long as I lived smoke a cigarette and to this very day forty-six years later I never have.
We never spoke about that day ever again. Now I regret that I never said thank you for having the forethought to show me at a very young age the aftermath of a life threatening choice that for years came packaged as so much sophisticated fun.
Thanks Mom – I imagine it took some amount of courage to take me there without knowing what effect it would have on me.
I only wish I could put a stamp on this thank you letter and that it would reach you, but you have joined Pop-Pop now and I can only hope that wherever you are you know the gratitude in my heart.
I miss you Mom. And if you happen to see Pop-Pop tell him I said thanks for the ice-cream sandwiches. I’ve never had one since that measures up to those sweet delicious ones used to enjoy at Sid’s corner store.
With love and gratitude,
Annie
Im very touched by this note. Thankyou for sharing with the world.
Very touching note….
Fred and Mary deVries were among the many people on Prince Edward Island, Canada, who welcomed us with warmth and incredible hospitality when we visited there a year ago. Fred and Mary invited us to join their Sunday evening dinner which always included their children and foster children, friends, and friends of friends. Their home had grown with their family, adding a room here for a child in need, a room there for a grandson come to live with them. A few weeks ago their daughter Tanya was killed in an accident. My heart went out to this loving family who give so much and now must bear this tragedy. Fred and Mary, you are surrounded with the Lord’s love and the love of everyone who knows you. May that love comfort and heal you. I’ve mailed a card — such a small thing.
With this note I just want to let Jennifer and Rick know how much I appreciate the work they do on the Namaste show, at CKCU-FM. Their guests and their topics are always very interesting. Keep up the good work my friends!!!
I’m writing to thank my step-daughter-in-law, Angela Wilson, who this past week became a United States citizen. I met Angela in 2003 when I went to Moldova to do a Peace Corps health project review. She then worked as the executive assistant to Van Nelson, the Peace Corps director in that little Eastern European country. Already Angela had embarked on the first of a series of adventures, leaving her hometown of Serpenti to work in the bustling city of Chisineau.
My husband of three years often mentioned he hoped his middle son, Rick, would find somebody to share his life. Rick at the time worked as a meat packager at Costco while he went to school to get a master’s degree in teaching. He additionally taught as a substitute in various elementary schools in the Reno area. He didn’t have much time for dating or any social life at all.
Angela expressed interest in improving her written English and Rick, fond of the Internet, had corresponded with a number of women overseas. I linked the two together. Romance didn’t blossom at first. But after a couple of years of corresponding, Angela invited Rick to visit Moldova. He countered with an offer to pay for her airfare so she could see the United States.
On Christmas day, 2004, they took a long walk in the falling snow around my neighborhood in Northeast Washington, and came back engaged. Rick and Angela married in Serpenti in 2005, honeymooned in Moscow, and she came to the States that autumn. In June 2009, two weeks after my husband, Ken, died, Angela gave birth to my granddaughter, Kendra. My husband knew the baby would be a girl and would be named for him.
Though they now live in Casa Grande, Arizona, where Rick teaches third grade and Angela studies for a nursing degree, I’ll be seeing them this summer. I can hardly wait to congratulate citizen Angela in person.
Tomorrow’s Angela’s birthday. Happy birthday, citizen Angela Wilson!
I want to write this note today on May 1st, for my oldest son Karim. It is his birthday today and life has been so hectic and so busy, between his schedule and my schedule, and we just don’t get to talk as often as we used to. Partly due to the fact that being a Doctor, Karim has no time for anything but sleep when he is off! Some of this is due to the fact that for several years now Karim and his lovely wife Wendy have not lived in Florida, as they continued their training. So we cannot just meet as often as we would like.
“Karim, as I have nurtured you through your younger years, you have grown into such a fine young man. Now, soon to be a father to your beautiful baby due in a few weeks.
You have such a pure heart and your young brothers absolutely adore you and look up to you for guidance for so much. Part of this is due to the fact that you never really grew up, which is part of your charm! Do you remember our drives from Park Maitland to Trinity Prep to pick up your sister from school, that hour we always had? We would stop at the baseball card shop, or stop and get something to eat. The times when I was so tired coming in from work, but I would pretend to know what I was doing when you wanted to play baseball and gave me all those weird hand signals! The way we would dance silly dances when music came on in the car. The times you make sure you treat your brothers and take them to a hotel and video games? You may not know it Karim, but you are appreciated by so many people, who’s lives you touch, and most of all me. As you have grown, did I tell you that I appreciate your kindness? The way you take care of your brothers? The way you helped me through one of the worst times of my life, when my Mother passed away? You were my voice of reason. The one that didn’t condone or tell me what I should or shouldn’t do. That I should listen to my heart, and let God help and take your Grandma to a better place if that was his plan. Which ultimately it was.
This note of appreciation is for you Karim, for all that you are, and all that you continue to be. You are most loved. xx”
Several years ago I was forced to transfer from the college I loved to the state college near my hometown. I was angry, sad, and lost. To make matters worse, I had to re-take some courses and register for additional ones, including a biology course – not an interesting prospect to me. I reluctantly went to class where I met my Professor, Dr. Elizabeth Brooks. Her enthusiasm for the subject sparked an interest in me and made me want to study – something I normally didn’t do. Dr. Brooks must have seen something in me, too, because she took an interest in me as her student and made me feel that I was smart – something I never thought.
She was such an inspiration that I changed my career goals from political science to teaching. The year I graduated I wrote a letter to the college nominating her for their teacher of the year award, which she deservingly won. I also wrote her a thank you note telling her just how much she made my life better and made me a better person.
I lost touch with Dr. Brooks over the years and then last year, ten years later, we reconnected thanks to Facebook. She was working in Philadelphia and we decided to meet for lunch. I was nervous walking from the subway to her office, and yet so excited to see her. I remember sitting in the waiting room wondering if we’d have anything to talk about. When she brought me back to her office the first thing she did was hand me a piece of paper. It was a little discolored and the ends were slightly worn. A thumbtack had punctured a hole at the top. It looked vaguely familiar. I began to read it over and I realized it was the note I had written her ten years earlier.
“Remember that,” she asked, “I keep it right here.” She gestured towards a cork board above her desk. I was so moved and touched that she cared about my words enough to have kept the note all these years. I couldn’t think of anything to say that would have expressed how I felt at that moment and so I just looked at her and smiled.
A Fathers’ Day Dedication to the father I never knew
Some three weeks before I emerged, unexpectedly, from my mother’s womb, my natural father died of a burst duodenal ulcer. I knew Ken Burden only by reputation, initially through the tales from my mother and, later, through his sister, Vera, now 95.
I was told that Ken was a man much loved by those who knew him. He never had a bad word to say about anyone; preferring to remain silent rather than criticise. During the second world war, he worked as chief engineer on the small MTBs skimming the waves of the North Sea and the Channel in search of invading vessels from Germany. He was a Chief Petty Officer and often worked through his meals to keep the boat in tip-top order so it could do its job to the optimum. It was this habit of eating on the job that destroyed his digestive system and killed him just a few years after the end of the war. He was a car mechanic in peace time, and, by all accounts, a gifted one.
I inherited his sense of justice, a basic integrity and his faithfulness. I wish I’d gathered up his tolerance and humility along the way, but I don’t blame him for that lack. There’s an irony that I have almost no mechanical skills and that my interest in cars and engines extends only to their use as a means of getting from A to B. I understand he was not a very literate man but I live for words, so I must get that from my mother; a gifted painter who died two days after my 16th birthday. She and Ken were in love for the time they had together and I wonder what sort of life I might have had if they had both survived.
So, I’d like to thank you, Ken, my real dad, for giving me life and passing on your genes. I can only aspire to your gentle tolerance, your generous spirit and your kindness. May, my mother, loved you absolutely and unconditionally and, knowing her judgement of people, I am confident I would have loved you as much. Vera, your sister, tells me you were her best friend and she still misses you. I hear that you were fun to be with but had a serious side. I can never bridge the gap between my life and your death but I make this public declaration, for what it’s worth, of my love and gratitude. Thank you for giving me a start in life and I hope I can be worthy of you for the future you never had. I love you, Dad, and always will.
This note of appreciation was written last year, on Fathers’ Day, on my blog:
http://stuartaken.blogspot.com/2010/06/fathers-day-dedication-to-father-i.html
I intend, in the near future, to write more notes of thanks to others who have made my life what it has so far been, and I will post those here.
I decided to write a letter to my Dad who is 92 years old. Dad never said much when we were growing up; my Mom took care of the daily care of all five of us and kept the lines of communication open.
After my Mom died, my independent father became more verbal when I came to visit him. I think that he missed having someone to talk to and I was happy to listen. I learned so much about his younger days and about how he felt about life during the Depression and during his WWII service.
Dear Dad,
Thank you for always being there for all of us. I know sometimes that I did not understand your ways, especially the time when three of your children were walking to school in a snowstorm and you kept driving by. Another time when I got sick upstate in my dorm, you drove all the way up there to pick me up without having any dinner.
You were the voice of reason when I went on an interview for a scholarship and I did not know an answer that the person asked me. I was upset and you calmly stated that the man did not have to give me the scholarship; it was his decision. It made me stop and think.
Mom taught us to be good people and you taught us to accept life and do the best you can without complaining.
My two year old, Ann, played in the family room right next to the kitchen where I prepared supper. Suddenly, a scream startled me. I ran to the room, but couldn’t see Ann. Then, I noticed the window screen flapping. Ann lay face down on the porch steps.
Blood covered her face; I panicked and screamed holding her close in my arms. The neighbor heard me and ran over. Seeing my panic, she quickly jumped into action, wiping my daughter’s face with her apron and putting pressure on her forehead’s open wound. She then drove us to the hospital.
I continued being panic stricken and the nurse wouldn’t allow me in the room. Ann didn’t even whimper while her forehead was being stitched up. My neighbor stayed by my side the whole time. I learned later that the latch on the screen was loose and when my daughter leaned out the window, the screen came loose and she must have lost her balance, tumbling out onto the small porch and down the stairs.
It might not seem like much, but my neighbor saved my daughter from being left in the hands of a frazzled mother. Although I thanked my neighbor then, I‘d like to speak my gratitude again here, and may God bless her for coming to our rescue.
My father, Walter DeBlois Akerley, died in 1986 at the age of 75. I’m not quite certain that he ever received from me the most profound explanation of how much I appreciated him. I quite often think of him, of course, and of the marvelous opportunities that he made available to me.
So, 25 years later, a couple of months prior to what would have been his 100th birthday, I wish to say “Thank You, Dad.” You taught me how to be an honest, caring boy, and I’m thankful that I was able to carry those attributes into adulthood. Your willingness to let me tag along as you refereed a basketball or football game, coached a baseball game; to expose me to so many delightful characters (one of your favorite descriptions) gave my life a richness that I didn’t quite understand at the time. Looking back, I recognize the benefits and I’ve been able to share them with my sons – Kris, now 36; Todd, now 33; and Caleb, now 5.
You were able to share your life with Kris and Todd before your passing, Dad; but you’ve not been blessed to see this new offspring of mine, Caleb. I think you’d be proud of my parenting – learned, of course, at your knee.
I’m so grateful for the benefits you provided, for the love you showed – not particularly demonstrative, but always evident. Thank you, Dad, for a legacy that I’m pleased to be able to uphold and continue. I am ever prayerful, as well, that these children I’ve raised will continue that legacy as well.
I always loved you, despite what I might have said or left unsaid, and I’ve been grateful all these years. Now’s the time to publicly let people know how special you were (and remain) to me.
Dear Becky,
Twenty-five years ago when we first met, you were a kindergarten teacher’s aide in rural Southern Ohio and I was a six year old who was just beginning school and struggling to adapt with dog-earred hair after my short life’s second neurosurgery. As an educator, it was your job to treat all children fairly and not show any favoritism; but, as a mother of young children, yourself, you opened your heart to me.
For weeks during recess, as you were monitoring the playground, I followed you everywhere. If I shared a funny story, you laughed; if I shared a sad story, you shared a hug; and when my little six year old world seemed to be turning cloudy and dark, you gave me a piece of advice that I still remember to this day: “Don’t worry about it; life’s troubles are just small potatoes.”
As time passed, I grew and flourished. I graduated from high school early and pursued my passion for writing, taking it to great heights that I had never dreamed possible by my thirtieth year of life. I’m far removed from Parkview School and even my small, rural Ohio hometown now; yet, every time in my life when I’ve met critics, rejection or loss, I’ve always remembered those beautiful words that you shared with me in 1986. Troubles in life are momentary and lead us to something greater; beautiful relationships — of any form — are long-lasting. Because of your belief in me, long ago, and the treasured pearl of wisdom I still carry in my heart today, you will always hold a special place in my life.
Thank you, Mrs. Conger, for being who you are; inside and out, you are indeed a wonderful person. My heart is forever indebted and better for the brief, but profound, time that we spent together at Parkview Elementary.
Bless you, always.
Jill
Last June my dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer. The doctors weren’t too concerned, and the words they used were, “This is just a bump in the road.” So, Dad started chemo in late August, and the treatments went through November.
During this time, I was very concerned. I remember the first time I heard about his cancer. I cried all night thinking, “How can anyone ever survive losing a parent?” I couldn’t fathom it. Our family pulled together, and we began preparing for his surgery in December. Along with this I began to formulate in my mind something I wanted to do. I decided I wanted to write letters of encouragement and joy for my New Year’s Resolution (because so many people had shared words of encouragement and love with our family). I chose to write 50 letters to 50 states in 50 days.
When my dad’s surgery occurred, I saw he was suffering and in pain. It was at that moment I decided I wanted to let him be the first person to whom I wrote. In my letter, I told him how proud I was of him. I also let him know about one of my favorite memories I had with him. This is the gist of the memory…
One year my dad was driving me from Texas to Iowa for college. I was reading, and he was looking at me. I asked him what he wanted, and he responded, “I remember when I was a kid, sick in the hospital, my sister would come every day to visit. For most of her visit she would spend time just reading to me.” I could tell he wanted me to read the book to him, so I started the story over and began reading aloud. Sometimes I would drive, so Dad would read to me. Now if there’s one trait I’ve inherited from him (there’s more than one, but we’ll imagine I only got one), I can cry at the drop of a hat. Can you imagine what it must have looked like to passersby as they saw a man and his daughter driving down the highway sobbing? Ridiculous, I say! Tears or no tears, I will always love that book because I was able to share it with my dad.
I was not there at the moment when Dad read my three page letter, but my mom said that he was very filled up as he read it.
January 1 came, and I began my New Year’s Resolution. Writing others was the one time in the day when I had peace throughout my dad’s entire ordeal. I would keep him updated on my progress, letting him know to which state I was writing that day. I think my dad must have known how important the letter writing was to me, for his passing occurred on Day 50, February 19, the day I completed my New Year’s Resolution.
I’ve continued the letter writing as a comfort to me. Today, I wrote to my 107th person. While I don’t think I’ll make a million cards by myself, I’ll keep writing as long as I have addresses! Good luck with your million card goal.
Rebecca: Your letter writing is a wonderful tribute to your father. Thank you for sharing your story. You are an inspiration to everyone who receives one of your letters, and to everyone who reads about it here at the Note Project.
I choose to write this letter to a person who inspires me and cares for me even though we have never physically met.
Lisa, I chose to write my letter of appreciation to you today.
We have never physically met YET, but what started out as an internet acquaintance has grown into me gaining the sister I never had.
Lisa, you are always there for me, and yes calling me “The networking Goddess” inspires me even more! Thanks for being in my life, through good and bad. You have been there in my darkest moment, through the illness and passing of my Mother. Through the celebrations of news for the company. We have laughed, even cried together as you go through some of your dark days.
Sisters, always.
Love Barbara
I choose to write this letter to my grandma. She has done so much for me and i dont know how many times i can say thank you. If it wasn’t for her i probably wouldn’t be where i am today. She has taught me so much and i don’t know what i would ever do without her. She is there for me whenever i need her and would do anything for me. I love you grandma, thank you for everything <3
The person that I have chosen to write a letter to is my bestfriend Octavia . I wrote a letter to her because she has been there for me in ways that I could never repay back for . We have been bestfriends for seven years now , and we still have the closest relationship ever . My overall reason for writing her this letter is because i want to thank her for helping me recover from the worst thing , that in my opinion , could ever happen to a female (being sexually assaulted) . From the moment right after it happened , to the counselling sessions after court . I always told her that i greatly appreciated her being there for , but i just wanted to remind her and say THANK YOU once again . She is the meaning of a True friend in my eyes and will always be .
I chose to write a letter of appreciation to my aunt Carol. For sixteen years she has taken care of me and helped me with everything. She has taught me so many things and I will always appreciate that. I treasure our memories in my heart and I hope she realizes how much I appreciate her in my life.
This is the note that I gave to my friend Tom
I appreciate my friend and pen pal Thomas Austin. He is my good friend who lives in England. I met him through my best friend Amanda. Me and Tom webcam and talk almost every day. He is great and one of my most awesome friends. He is Fabulous and there is so much to appreciate about him. He is very kind, and always listens to me when I have something to say. We like the same kind of music and games and even though we have a current four hour time difference, we always find a way to talk to each other.
I appreciate my amazing friend Tom for many reasons. I appreciate him for his British accent, because even when I’m feeling down it makes me smile. I appreciate him for his nerdy sense of humor. He’s a genius and sometimes cracks jokes about things I can’t understand. I appreciate him because he knows how to cheer me up when I’m having a bad day. I appreciate him because if I can’t sleep at two o’clock in the morning, I can count on him to wake me up even more and never letting me fall asleep until he goes to work an hour later. I appreciate all of this about him and hold him in high esteem, even though he hates two of my favorite things, chocolate and soda, which he calls “fizzy drinks”
As I said, I appreciate Tom a lot, and I am happy to have met him. One day I plan on going to England, or making him come to America, so we can actually really see each other, and not just on a laptop monitor. So Tom, when you read this, I just wanted you to know I appreciate you and our friendship and you are a true friend.
My note is about one of my best friends.
simply, he pretty much saved me when we got jumped.
we almost made it to the doorway, well i almost made it to the doorway, he did, but i got grabbed.
they started hitting me, he was trying to unlock the door.
after about 2 punches to my head, he unlocks the door. i get pushed to the ground, i get back up, and one of them held a gun to me.
All he did was yell my name, and to get in the house. i was really disorientated after the first two punches, and just him yelling to me is what brought me back to my senses.
i owe him my life.
I chose to write a note of appreciation to my best friend and other half Eric. When no one else was there to listen, he was there, cheering me on and helping me through whatever hardships I happened to get myself into. To this very day, he’s there to help me with no matter what I may need, little or big, nasty or nice. Eric is the only person I can be completely myself around and not be judged by. I haven’t smiled in a long time, but whenever I am with him, it seems to be all I do. Eric, I don’t get a chance to tell you this often, but thank you. Thanks for being there for me no matter what.
I chose to write a letter to my cousin Tina. She is there for me whenever i need her. She never judges and gives every a chance to show their true selves. She is also very intelligent and I admire everything she does. Thank you Tina.
This note goes to my dear friend Jess. She is so inspirational and is always there for me. She helps me with her words of wisdom whenever i am having a bad day. She always knows what to say and when to say it. She is such a positive influence and thats why i am writing this note to the one the only, Jess.
It wasnt a hard decision to who I was going to give my letter to. I decided to give my letter to my moms boyfriend. There are many reasons why I decided to give it to him. He has been a very important factor in my life for the past year.
Since he has moved in with me, my mom, and brother he has mean a lot to this family. Before he came in my mom was a single mother with two teenage kids. Her goals were to buy a house and live happy but by herself it was almost impossible. But with the support of him we are almost close to buying a new house.with his support he has lifted my family on their feet and finally starting to get us moving in the direction we have been wanting to for a while now.
He has been a supporting beam for our family. I am proud to have him in my family. I am also proud to call him my step father now. This is the reason why I gave him a letter saying thank you for everything he has done for our family and that I love him.
Parents will always love you no matter what. Your life is their life; when something happens they drop everything they are doing. When i think about my parents i think about all that they have done for me and how i could repay them. when i was given this task for my class to do i regretfully could not think of who to write to right away. My mother suggested someone for me and then, as i sat at my computer desk thinking of who in gods name i could write a letter to, a thought struck me, who gave birth to me? who brought me up and put band-aids on my cuts and wiped away my tears when needed be? No not my imaginery friend! My Parents.
So now i sit here and type my letter of apprecitaion, it feels as though it is a right of passage. I hope this idea will become a tradition. I hope this website gains more than just one million, notes of appreciation are for people who work hard and make money for their family.
so here’s my note of thankyou for all that my parents have done for me.
Dear Mom and Dad,
All through my life you have been there for me. Never did i have to ask for your help, you always jump at the oppurtunity to help me better my education. I may act like a pain sometimes but, i love you guys, you guys mean the world to me, if it were not for you, i do not believe that i would have the manners i do today. To dad, thank you for teaching me how to be a gentlemen to my mother and how to treat my girlfriend with all the respect that she deserves. Thank you for coming into my room when i would cry due to my leg pains and you gave me medicine that dulled my pain and put me right back to sleep. To mom, thank you for enduring all the times that i have gotten sick. Thank you for all the times i have asked for water and even a back scratch to calm me down after i had a nightmare. You guys are always there for me and in return i will always be there for you. Thank you for being my heros, my idols, thank you for choosing life rather than death. Thank you for being my Parents,
Love,
your number one number three
Kevin
I decided to write my letter of appreciation to my mother. She helps me with everything and anything whenever i need it. She’ll drop anything to help me, and she is always there for me whenever i am going through hard times. The least i can do is thank her for everything she does for me and my family.
I’ve been amazed how many of my former students have “friended” me on Facebook. The other day I was fondly remembering my days with my Drama students and sent them all a note. Part of the message was: “High school probably seems like a long time ago (and I’m sure that’s a good thing!) and I know there are things you don’t like to remember about high school, but I hope that some of the amazing things you created together in Drama live on in your memory. I am glad I’m not teaching any more (too much work!) but I am proud of those memories, and proud of you, and wish you all wonderful things in your lives.”
Many of my students have shared their memories too, and their expressions of gratitude to me have been amazing. Gratitude begets gratitude!
i chose to write this letter of appreciation to my mom. My mom has been there for me in the good and bad moments. She helps when i get sick and gives me a lot of support.She does a lot for me and my family, so we can be all right. sometimes she could be mad at me but she later on becomes nice. when she comes back from work she cleans and cook even though she is tired from work. that i like about my mom. So, I thank my mom for everthing that she has done for me.
My thankyou note is for my 9 year old daughter, it is something that I have been working on for a few months now – and is already up to 10 pages long. It is hand written, using a quill and ink set she gave me for christmas last year.
I am not dying of a disease, and no one in my family suffers from anything that will affect me when I am older – but, just in case anything should happen to me – I want her to know how much I appreciate the time we have spent together, the good and the bad – what I hope will happen for her and some guidence along the way.
Here is a sample…
“… and I my biggest hope is that no matter what you do do in your life, that you will find people to share it with that share your passion, your honesty, and your time with. People who not only love you for who you are, but, as I have seen as you have grown up – people who respect you and your opinions. You are a one of a kind, a truly unique woman, and I don’t want you to ever think that you are not. Your intelligence shines through in everything that you do, you give of your time generously to friends who are hurt, friends who just need someone to talk to, and to strangers. I will never forget the other day when you helped out the old lady at the shopping centre, you may not remember by the time you read this – but I will, and I am sure she will. You had been saving your money to buy for yourself a book from the newsagent – she didn’t have enough money to pay for her newspaper delivery for the next month – so you gave her your own money, and wouldn’t take no for an answer – saying that ‘you need the newspaper, I can always borrow this book from a library’ – and that is the type of thing that I love about you… thankyou”
I was five years old when I met my aunt’s new neighbor, and my cousin’s new pal that moved in right next door. Almost three years ago, the same person ended up being my best friend and the person i lean on for anything in my life. Weather it’s a small issue or something serious, he is always right there next to me and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Why i feel so strongly about this kid so much is because I’ve gone through many things a teenager wouldn’t normally go through, ever in their lives and he hasn’t left my side since.
So, even though saying “thank you” to him doesn’t amount to enough how much I appreciate him in my life, I would just like to say to him, I love you to the moon and back and thank you for being in my life and remaining there.
I couldn’t have done it without you
In 1984, I was living in Rico, CO. and going through a very rough time. It is a very, very small town and the young women my age had decided to turn against me. The abuse, rejection and betrayal were too much for me and I spiraled down into a very deep depression and was barely hanging on. Luckily I found my way to an amazing counselor named Corrine Brickell. She had such a wonderful bag of tricks, and a horse! She pretty much took my hand and led me through one of the darkest nights of my soul, saved my life and pointed me on the path to health and a lifelong devotion to growth. She worked with my son as well.
Corrine and I became friends and stayed in touch through the years, some more than others. The last few years I have been in much closer touch and she has been such a gift because she is the one person who “knew me when”, so she has become my biggest cheerleader! And I have become one of her most devoted friends.
I am so grateful for the gift this woman has given me, along with how many others she has helped. During a long phone call tonight, she shared with me that one of her clients tracked her down, after 20 years, to thank her for saving his marriage. This is the kind of care and guidance this woman has given to so many people.
So I decided to send her another thank you card…one of many I have sent her throughout the years!
So thanks for starting this project. I have always made it a habit to thank people, tell them I love them, tell them how much they mean to me. I grew up with people close to me dying suddenly, and it has continued throughout my life, and I also grew up ill, not knowing if I would be alive the next day either. So I learned early on to never put off telling others how much you care for them, how much they mean to you!
Everyone tells me I look just like you and I see it. I see the same eyes, the same round face and the same warm smile. Each day I am grateful to have you in my life as a mother, as a friend, as a shoulder to cry on, and as an inspiration. You keep me going each day, even when you don’t realize it. When I see how well you are doing in school and how you work so hard to graduate college to become what you have always dreamed of. I want to accomplish and excel to live out my dreams. I want to be like you mom.
Hearing I had epilepsy was what stopped you from continuing college and I am sorry. I knew you would do anything to have made me feel better and for the pain to go away. But we made it through my condition and learned to deal. Even when I had pain through the surgery, you were there to make it better. When I was lying in a hospital bed you didn’t just walk off and let the nurses take care of me, you were the one who cared for me when I could not care for myself.
Mom, I thank you for being there for me during the tough times in my life and not giving up on me. You give me hope to grow up like the tough, independent woman you are. I appreciate to have such a loving mother who would do anything for me.
I chose to write a letter to my Uncle Tom becuase he has always been there for me and helped me regardless of what I did. He has always helped me through different struggles , that’s why i chose to write my letter to him.
This note is to a woman who has decided to dedicate 365days to giving. I am thankful that she has led me to this site and wanted to send her a note of thanks for bringing the Note project to my attention and also encourage more note sending.
To 365give and the passionate woman who is behind this project. Your desire to encourage people to give everyday, has re-ignited my passion for my community, my family and my friends and inspired me to think about my days differently. I find myself looking for opportunities to give each and every day and love the serendipitous moments that now present themselves. Note writing has been one of the additions to my gives, and I find it rewarding when I send the mail to whomever I thought of that day.
Giving is a nice way to contribute to your life and others, and I have to say, I had forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder, thanks for giving me ideas and most of all thank you for opening my heart again. The projects you highlight on your site have opened up my world to so many new ideas and others peoples passions. The world is a wonderful place to live.
Dear Aunty Patti,
I’m not sure where to start with this note but it has been inspired by a website I came across called The Note Project. They are trying to get 1,000,000 people to commit to sending one note of appreciation. That is a lot of appreciation. Their mission is not dissimilar to what I am trying to achieve with 365give. Inspiring people to be thoughtful and giving in their lives. Appreciation is a form of giving and a great way we could all practice on a regular basis.
Auntie Patti, this note is overdue and has taken me 42 years to write. There are thank you notes and there are appreciation notes. This is to make sure you realize how appreciated you have been over the course of my life time. Within the first week of my life you were asked to be my Godmother. A tradition that has been passed through generations in my family. You accepted the honour and have spent my entire life being an unending source of love and support.
I was wondering what the modern day definition of a Godparent would be as it has changed over the years. Since I love Wikipedia for their definitions I took the liberty of looking it up. “The modern view of a godparent tends to be an individual chosen by the parents to take an interest in the child’s upbringing and personal development.” I’m not sure that truly describes what your role has been in my life but it is a good starting place.
Some of my fondest memories growing up were of our tradition of getting together at Christmas and for my birthday. You always had a surprise for me (and to this day you still surprise me every year even though we live an entire country apart). I still have every Christmas ornament you attached to my gift. Our birthday luncheons were always a special treat. When my parents divorced at the ripe old age of 9 you were there with boxing gloves on making sure I was happy. Then I married once (a little too young) – and you supported me at every turn. Then I was divorced (a very short time later) and you still supported me at every turn. I was married again and you were there cheering me on and when we adopted our son you were my biggest cheerleader. No matter what I have done in my life good, bad and ugly you have been my greatest fan. Never a judgement, only sound advice and encouragement.
When I chose a Godmother for my son it was a tough choice. How could anyone be the Godparent you have been to me. You are my family, you are my rock and you have brought so much love to my life I don’t know where to start in showing my appreciation. Thank you will never be enough but I do hope you know that the world is a better place because you are in it. I am a better person for having you in my life from the day I was born and my son will be a better person as I will share with him the love you have shared with me.
I love you from the bottom of my heart and I appreciate every time you have thought of me and loved me in my life time.
With love I will never be able to express in words,
Jacqueline xoxo
What a beautiful letter. And what a wonderful aunt.
Hi Mike,
Sounds like a interesting ideas. How will you choose which charities receive donations? Have you a plan to involve the volunteers and students already involved in non-profit tutor/mentor programs? They could benefit from being involved in note writing, as a literacy project, and from receiving donations as a result of their involvement.
Would like to learn more.
Hi Mike! This is a great idea and a warm place to pop into. I appreciate your invite to visit your blog. I am doing taxes right now, but will bookmark your page and subscribe to come back too! Thank You for Caring and Sharing Your Notepad and Inspirational Messages. Love, Cheryl
aka Muffyjo on the Web
Hi Cheryl. Thanks for stopping by. I really like your “Inspirational Twitterings” too. Keep it up!
30 years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Sam Wanamaker, the actor, director and the inspiration behind re-creating Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. I was public relations officer for a building products company at the time, and we were so amazed by his vision, that we gladly donated some products for the initial site.
Sadly, Sam died in 1993, before the theatre opened in 1997, and today hundreds of thousands have enjoyed their visit to the theatre. What a great gift that is to the people of Britain, tourists and the Bard!
I used the meeting with Sam as the inspiration to change my life in 2002, when I was made redundant, aged 49. I decided to pursue a dream (an actual dream) of providing water for the very poor in Ethiopia. (I’d lived and gone to school there in the early 1960′s.) I decided to track down some former classmates, to find out what had happened to their lives. I hadn’t seen them for 40 years!
Compassionate people around the world helped me, touched by the dream, and I travelled 25,000 miles to find these ladies. I also decided to donate half the royalties to WaterAid, to provide the water.
The book sold enough to provide water in two communities out there. Not a lot, but as a first time author, selling it in 21 countries (self-published), and giving book talks in 3 was a great result! I’m now completing my second book, “The Third Symbol” to help raise funds for projects in Ethiopia and Gaza. Gaza for my father, whom I had to learn to forgive on my journey.
Most of all, I’ve learnt to share what I have with others – sharing is the greatest gift we can give; no matter what our circumstance.
Compassion, faith and focus changes everything. I encourage you to be inspired on your journey, and have the love and courage to show compassion to others every day. In a world of great inequality and indifference, we are the people who can make things better, one person, and one day at a time!
Hi Annette. That’s a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing — your story and your life! -Mike
Miss Litoni was our next door neighbor when I was a kid. She used to ask me to sit and say a prayer with her. I was ten years old and was anxious to go play with my friends, but Miss Litoni told me how much she would appreciate it if I sat with her for a while – plus I knew she kept a big bowl of candy on hand for young visitors – so I always stopped and spent a little time with her. I realize now that she was trying to help my mother look out for me and that she was giving me the gift of her time. Here’s the note I wrote to her:
Dear Miss Litoni, I often think of the times you asked me to stop and say a prayer with you before I went out to play after dinner. I probably seemed anxious to go play with my friends, and I was! But looking back, I am glad we spent the time together. You are one of the most thoughtful and caring people I know. Thank you.