[Image credit: David Castillo Dominici]

As a little girl, my mom taught me the value of a thank you.  Following each holiday, birthday, graduation or any other special occasion, you’d find me handwriting personal notes extending my appreciation.  My daughter learned early on that she didn’t get to play with or spend her gifts until a thank you was sent off.  For her it eventually became a habit and at almost 20, she still takes the time to handwrite her thanks (without prompting).  With the ease of communications today, however, I’m surprised to see less and less effort made to acknowledge a gift or kindness shown.  How hard is it to say thank you by text or email?  And why are so many parents neglecting to teach this common courtesy today?  Obviously, I must’ve been born in the dark ages when please and thank you were simply a given, but now is a thing of the past.  Although in my family, those two little words are still alive and well.  Thank you for listening.

Is there someone you need to thank today?