Thanked : The 5 Most Special Thank Yous to Me

"You're welcome," says the stepmom.

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

As much as we are hounded everyday to say our Thank Yous especially around this season, we forget what it means to say “You’re welcome.” We utter these two words in response to an expression of gratitude, acknowledging the appreciation of a gesture we offer, without expecting anything in return.

This thanksgiving season, let me honor the gratitude extended to me by remembering the most special "Thank Yous” I ever received.

One. My eldest stepdaughter thanking me on my birthday. She was at sea as a seafarer. I was holed up at home. I read her message via Instagram, for everyone to see. I was not one for public acknowledgement but that was sweet of her. I have saved that post ever since.

“You have always taught me to be bold, be silly, be strong, be confident, be independent and intelligent. You taught me to be brave and fierce. To be real. To not worry about fitting into glass slippers, but instead to go out there and smash those glass ceilings. Thank you for being the best.”

Two. My brother-in-law priest who thanked me almost every year. I am humbled by his expression of gratitude.

“Thank you for marrying my brother. For your patience with him. For loving him. If you can love him that much, I can do that too as his brother.”

Three. My stepson writing me a letter twice, when he was 13 years old and when he was 19 years old. He was especially thankful for one thing.

‘Thank you for loving my sister like your own, the way you do.”

This always melts my heart.

Four. My own son.

“Thank you for loving my siblings Mom and allowing me to love them.”

He probably doesn't know it but it is because I see how he loves his siblings that I am able to love all of them more.

Five. My father, as he was bedridden told me everyday, “Thank you for doing what I cannot do for your mom.” When I remember this, I always lose myself, missing him, longing for him so I hold on to every memory I have with him.

For all these moments of thankfulness that I have experienced, “You’re welcome.” The warmth of the thanksgiving season is truly at hand.