The Power of Writing Notes: The Promise of Showing Appreciation

Our son, Romney, graduated from high school on Wednesday. He is our third child to do so in the last three years, so we are getting the hang of this time of life and transitionary period, as equally sobering and joyful as it is. We are very excited for all he has planned, as the world awaits our amazing boy.

A few weeks before his big day, I walked in the kitchen and found him sitting at the table in deep contemplation, actively accomplishing something I’d never seen him do: writing with a pen, surrounded by stacks of notes and envelopes, along with great intention.

He didn’t notice me, so I took his photo and left him to do his work.

A few hours later after he was done, and I asked what he had accomplished. He said he was writing letters of appreciation to his friends. He described how it was important to him to write a note to everyone he had served with in student government as the SBO Spirit Leader of the school his senior year.

He mentioned his older brother, Redford, had done the same a year prior, as had their older sister, Ella, before her graduation.

I asked how hard it was to do this project, because there were a lot of leaders he needed to write. He said it was daunting to think about at first, but once he sat down and began thinking about his friends, their talents, and all the experiences they’d had together, it was a very fulfilling effort and went by quickly.

After he was done writing to his fellow leaders, he kept going, and wrote to many of his friends. He felt happy as he expressed gratitude for their friendship and all that made their time together in school years so wonderful.

Once he was done he took a long nap.

I share this story with you because there are few practices as fulfilling as sitting down and writing a note of appreciation to someone.

It could be a simple text, a long email, a shorthand note, perhaps its time to show an old friend that you can still write in cursive and you both should laugh about the fact that it is very likely none of our kids can read it. Like ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

I don’t remember the last time I regretted sending a positive expression of appreciation to someone.

And when was the last time you opened your mailbox and received a handwritten note from anyone, especially a person under the age of 20?

Today I spent an hour writing LinkedIn recommendations for friends, peers, and clients. That felt good. As my son is leaving on his senior trip for a week, I am now going to go and pen a handwritten letter to him, to read later, expressing my love and gratitude for the good boy he is.

It will be in cursive. And yes, he can read it, because that’s the way I’ve written every note to him for his entire life.

The Promise is to sit down and intentionally embrace the power of writing notes, as it will bring greater joy than perhaps anything else can today.