I have done this occasionally, either by mail or by e-mail, to people who have no idea as to who I might be. I have thanked the group Steeleye Span for their wonderful music over the years. I have thanked Harlan Ellison, Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein for their works, both fictional and non-fictional. I sent a thank you to James Randi for his work fighting against the frauds, fakes and hucksters. I don’t ask for personal items or further efforts on their part-I just thank them for their effort and for the joy they have brought me through the years.
Who have you thanked for what they have done?
I’ve thanked many musicians (in person) after the show, but the ones that really stand out in my memory were Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross, at Scullers.
I read an article some years ago that inspired me to write a long letter of thanks to my parents for all they had done for me over the course of my life:
My mom died a few years later, at which point I emailed the author to express my thanks for her work; it was because of her article that I won’t have lifelong regrets over things left unspoken between me and my parents.
Too late for me to implement that idea, but it’s a great one.
I wrote a note, and got a gracious note in reply, from retired Admiral James Stockdale.
Some would argue that such a meaningful and heartfelt message ought to be delivered verbally in person. That may work for some folks, but not for me:
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I get emotional very easily in such situations, and I find it virtually impossible to speak when that happens. Some people can hold back their tears, or at least speak clearly despite crying, but not me. If I want such a message to get out, I need to write it.
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I’m in awe of how much my parents did for me and my siblings when we were growing up. There was so much to say and I wanted to be sure I covered it all, and it seemed like the best way was to take my time thinking and writing it all down.
Your mileage may vary.
I thanked Dave Brubeck when I talked to him. Otherwise, I can’t think of anyone, offhand. A few years ago I got a Facebook message out of the blue from a guy who worked for me in the Navy. He was a young troop right out of electrician school and - as I tried to do for all young Seabees - I tried to mentor him as best I could and treated him with respect instead of scorn (which is often the norm in the military). Anyway, he thanked me some 30+ years later for setting an example of how to treat those who work for you, and told me that he applied those same standards with people who worked for him over the years. A nice acknowledgement. You never know whose lives you are affecting by small acts of kindness.
I make sure to thank the folks I see regularly on my health care “team” (Primary care physician, dermatologist and periodontist/dentist). They definitely affect my life for the better. Beyond treating me well as a patient, they all express a genuine interest in me as a person. They actually schedule a little extra time for appointments so we have time to chat as friends.
Major head smack. I ALWAYS show appreciation to staff and low-wage workers. It’s why I’m very popular with the staff in this building. I’ve done those sorts of (usually) thankless jobs in my life. I treat them like the fellow humans that hey are, deserving of friendly conversation and appreciation for what they do. I also thank doctors and especially nurses, my dentist and especially the dental techs.