“Who does not thank for little will not thank for much.”

— Estonian Proverb

Have you ever received a thank you note from someone whom you respect, at a time you least expected?

If so, then you understand the power a chance gesture of appreciation.

When we were at Portland’s Saturday Market (ironically, on Sunday) I ran into a fellow parent from my children’s former elementary school. He was one of the food vendors so I ordered a sandwich while we caught up. It was good to see him, and when he refused my money for the food, I only had time to offer him a handshake and a thanks as the customers were piling up.

I really did appreciate the gesture of friendship, so I took a moment to look up his business address and write him a thank you note last night.

Everyday, there are people who help us. Noticing their efforts and showing that extra appreciation, like sending an unexpected thank you card, enriches their lives and ours. Also, as physical letters become less common in our digital age, they become more and more unique. Likewise, a hand-written thank you note will continue to have more and more impact.

You can’t know what impact a thank you letter will have. One thing that is certain though,  if you appreciate it, it’s pretty likely someone else will also.

Yesterday’s gift of time … Wrote a thank you letter to a friend and business owner who did me a good turn.