Dear You (you know who you are),
The season of thankfulness is upon us. It's that time when everyone turns to their neighbors, friends, spouse, siblings, parents, children, and everyone else that means something to them to say thank you. Love is all around us in the fall and winter. You feel it around every corner.
I don't tell you enough how thankful I am for you. I should. There are so many opportunities that pass by when I leave the words unspoken. I shouldn't. What if there isn't a tomorrow to say how much you mean to me and how thankful I am for you and for every moment we've shared and everything you've done for me?
I don't always think like this. I'm not the first to cry at something sad. I'm not the first to tell someone just how much they mean to me. I'm frequently the one making the joke to get past the sad or sentimental moment and to get on with it. It's how I cope, and in many ways, it means I'm able to handle things that many cannot.
But with death and illness so fresh and overwhelming around me, I suddenly cannot stop thinking about how thankful I am. And I want you to know how much you mean to me. I want you to know that I would not be who I am without you. I want to shout it from the rooftops and stop everyone on the street to tell them. I don't want there to be any doubt to you or to anyone that there is nothing in the world that I love and care for as much as you.
Do you remember the time that I needed you and you were there for me? The time you offered a hug when I didn't know that anything would make it better? You did. Thank you. Do you remember the time that you needed me? Thank you for that, too.
This isn't some form thank you letter. I didn't leave off your name because I couldn't go into detail or because I didn't want anyone to know who you are. I left it off because it's for you. And you know who you are.
I am thankful for you. Not just during this season, but every day, all year long. Thank you.
With love,
Me
Kelly Herdrich is a Yahoo! Shine Parenting Guru and a very thankful wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend. She writes, blogs, and knits, but mostly, she's busy living. And she's thankful for every second of it.
