My friend was sick with the flu and a back injury. We typically walk our dogs together on Fridays and she had been unable to do that for more than a month. I tried to send her some flowers but that darn internet made it impossible to find a local florist. So I stopped by a local market that has wonderful flowers. I had an arrangement prepared and I delivered it myself. She wasn’t home but her husband was. I dropped off the flowers with him and left as he was also sick. Then it happened. Dead silence. Stupid things were going through my head like maybe she didn’t notice them or maybe her husband forgot to tell her they were from me.
It amazes me in this day and age of easy and instant communication how we fail or refuse to communicate. I never received a text, email or phone call from my friend acknowledging the flowers and/or thanking me for them. I happened to run into her a few weeks later and she, looking a bit chagrined, told me she hadn’t texted me (no reason why) but she thanked me for the flowers. It seemed almost like an afterthought. If I hadn’t run into her would she have ever said, “thank you”.
Well you might be saying that the giver should not expect anything in return as a true gift is given freely and without expectation. I agree but I don’t think that extends to a simple thank you.
My feelings were hurt and I wondered as to her character or lack thereof. For me there is no substitute for an immediate and heartfelt,”thank you". That may be the best gift of all because it says I acknowledge you and I appreciate you and all you do for me. The words are so simple but the meaning is so powerful. .” So in these days when we are frantically preparing to give gifts to our family and friends, let’s not forget to say, “thank you” when we receive something. It means so much. It strengthens our relationships while its absence weakens them.
