How Do We Share Our Gratitude?

How do we share our gratitude?

I recently ran into a student with whom I had worked closely during their time in our program—providing feedback on papers, offering advice on field placements, and strategizing about next professional steps. I was surprised to see this person here so many months after graduation and learned that they had returned from afar for a one month program.  Assuming that this chance meeting would result in the opportunity to catch up, I was disappointed to learn that they were departing the very next day.

I’ll readily admit that this may be my problem, that this person may not have felt that it was important to touch base, to say “thanks” as it were.

I am commenting on this experience to share how it guided my behavior during the recent snow emergency.  I was trapped in my house from Thursday night until Tuesday morning.  My wife was away visiting our grandchildren.

Fortunately, our house did not lose power so I was able to stay connected. Still thinking about my experience with the student, I was intentional about dousing each telephone or email conversation with gratitude.

One memorable encounter was with American Airlines to re-schedule a flight. Upon closing a thankfully simple exchange to arrange a new flight, I said, “Thank you so much for your help.  I am sure that this has not been an easy time for you with all the disruptions.” The agent’s tone of voice in saying “thank you” suggested to me, that she would be paying forward the gratitude that I had shared.

In closing, I’d like to say “thank you” to those Duke Energy workers who helped to keep me connected, to the staff of WCHL who somehow manage not only to get to the station in treacherous times, but also to express their joy at helping us listeners. Finally, I’ll say “thank you” to that higher source that assured that my emergency chocolate supply lasted long enough to sustain me.

— Lew Margolis.