Some you may know that I have been very ill. Before my operation in June, I was very ill for about 3 months. I had stopped eating and could not keep much down. Most nights I would struggle home from work and try to force gatorade down so that I could try to stay hydrated. At the time I did not care what became of the house and it got more and more disgusting. I am not embarassed to say this, because I was truly that sick. I will not try to describe it to you, but suffice it to say it was truly filthy.
While I was in long-term health care recovering some friends got together and cleaned the house. Not only that, they put all my books on the book shelves. They went out and bought paintings for my walls. They added lights where there were none. They unpacked all the boxes in the garage that had been there for better than 3 years. In short, they went above and beyond. I can think of no thank you that is sufficient.
A nice party with their favorite foods lovingly prepared by you in your sparkling, gorgeous house to honor them? Maybe one or two foods for each person if feasible? That might be a good base to start with, then maybe throw in some kind of gift for each person that you can give at the party. If you’re a crafty sort, maybe something you made, if not, something they’d like to have and might not necessarily get for themselves. I don’t know if you’d be up to doing that, (physically or financially) but if not so eleborate, maybe a bit simpler?
Khadaji, you are a lucky man to have such kind and generous friends. I’m sure you’ve thanked them profusely and have probably even asked them what more you can do to show your gratitude. Friends like yours surely won’t expect to recieve material items for their love and hard work. I’d say the best way to pay them back is to be as loving and generous when they need help. I’ve noticed that at some point, every one of us needs help. Be there for them, 100%.
I’m so glad you’re better now, and that you’re surrounded by people who truly care.
Seeker74 and gardentraveler you don’t know the half of it. It was truly humbling to see how many many good friends I have. People drove for hours to come see me. One friend drove 5 hours to spend the weekend at the hospital, only to have to leave to be with his mom who was just diagnosed with cancer. He bounced back and forth between the two places. My boss drove almost 3 hours to bring me a computer so that I could do work from home. You may think that that isn’t friendship, but believe me, his entire intent was to make me feel needed and to keep my spirits up. His boss and his wife were among the people who cleaned my place. Members of my staff drove 3 hours to visit in the hospital. Friends came to my long-term health facility (actually my Mom’s house with in-home nurses, because I refused to spend* one more day* in a strange place) to take me to movies, to bring me books, and to just chat. Meanwhile, while I was in danger, I had people form teams to keep Mom in the loop and to keep her spirits up. A man who was my boss 10 years ago came to see me one night. Heck, there are too many things that were done for me to list…
It brings tears to my eyes when I think just how many really good friends I have. (OK, part of that may be the fact that I don’t seem to have a regulator on my emotions anymore, since the operation, but still…)
I have thanked them all and will of course continue to do so, but the guys that did this, well, as I said, it was above and beyond and I feel the need to do something.
Your first and last posts certainly brought a tear to my eye. ::sniff:: I can just hear how badly you want to pay these guys back and how much you care for them.
Khadaji, it’s clear to me that they love you and they didn’t want to lose you. Guess what… friends don’t bend over backwards for people who don’t deserve it. You have obviously been a dear friend to them, and they wanted to pay you back. I don’t have to say this because I know you already do: Cherish each and every one of your support team, and consider yourself fortunate to have them. Not everyone is so blessed. And even if they are, sometimes they don’t realize it.
Again, I’m so happy for you!
This whole thread is giving me warm fuzzies. Thanks!
LOL. Thanks. Done and done. I was thinking of something more…