It's Turkey day. Yes, today I will stuff myself silly, because 1) I don't get turkey dinners cooked by my talented mother-in-law (insert brownie points here) everyday, and 2) calories don't count on Thanksgiving. Didn't you know?
And I really enjoy my family. I really, really do. Both my husband's side and mine have endeared themselves over the past several years by loving on my sweet kiddos and helping out when they can, and that just makes me all fuzzy wuzzy inside and on the prowl for the perfect way to thank them for all the loving attention. I mean, jeez, my kids are pretty darn cute, but I've seen how they act with a little refined sugar. That's means I'm very grateful for everyone's help.
So how do I communicate that? Well, with an advanced degree in communication, you'd think I'd just know how to express my thanks perfectly, right? No, I'm much better with delivering helpful information and sometimes even sarcastic humor. But gratitude? There's got a be a perfect way to let someone know it.
So, here are my four, un-scientific methods for telling someone in your family, "Thanks," with no purchase necessary.
Say it. In the next few days, I'll have the opportunity to see a number of my family members. And maybe I'm a better writer than a speaker, but there's nothing wrong with the personal touch of going straight up to a person and telling him or her exactly why you appreciate them. Sometimes, I think it's easy to get caught up on the ways we don't think family members are perfect. And just remembering why you value them, even one single detail, might help you remember that we all have "hard to love" moments.
Write it. Oh yes. All that handwriting practice in grade school can finally come in handy when it comes to delivering a note. Sure, you can send a thank you by email, on Facebook, or even one of those nifty little e-cards. But there is something about getting an envelope with your name on it, either through the mail or at the dinner table, with a note that someone took the time to scribble just for you. And as a bonus, unlike spoken words, written words can be read over and over, remembered time and again.
Show it. As a writer, I'm not so fond of the saying, "A picture's worth a thousand words." I don't actually believe that's true all the time, although, visuals can affect people in deep, emotional ways. That being said, a more unique way to say thanks beyond the common note card would be to dig up a picture from a trip or get-together containing a happy memory of you and a family member. On the back of the picture, write a brief note (that's right, you're not getting out of the writing part!) and tell them why the memory is so special to you.
Do it. Okay, so I said this wouldn't cost anything. Actually, I said these were practically free ideas. So here's where the practically comes in. Time is one of the most valuable things in our society. With the internet, activities, family commitments, work, television, (deep breath), sporting events, Christmas shopping etc. etc., having time to spend one-on-one with a family member comes at a high price. But there is nothing, NOTHING, like giving your time to go do something with a family member--going out to eat, watching a movie, shopping, whatever. Because, at the end of the day, you might discover that the more you give, the more you receive.
And that, my friends, is the spirit of the season.
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