Thank You Notes

This year I made a goal of writing one thank-you note every week. Not for gifts, just for people.

I wrote to my old high school chemistry teacher. I wrote to the barista who always remembers my name. I wrote to my sister for driving four hours to help me move. I wrote to my mail carrier, who once walked a package back to me in the rain.

Some people wrote back. My chemistry teacher said my note was going on her refrigerator. The barista teared up and hugged me across the counter. My sister called me just to say, "You weirdo, I love you."

What surprised me most was how it changed me. When you're looking for something to be thankful for every week, you start noticing good things all the time. The world starts to feel full of kind people, because it is.

Fifty-two notes this year. I'm already starting next year's list.