It’s obvious to me that I have AMAZING friends. And I’m not using amazing here in the overused way that so many of us do these days…my people are honestly amazing!! My friends seem to anticipate what I need and just do it…despite the fact that they know they probably won’t get much acknowledgement for their deeds. That’s true friendship. And for that I’m eternally grateful.
I really am thankful, but I’m terrible at thank you notes. I always have been. I’ve tried to do better with my kids, but I think I’ve failed there. I’ve started writing thank you notes for all of the kindness shown to us in the last 2 months, I’ve had SO much to be thankful for that I don’t even know where to start. I’ve written over 200 notes and have hundreds more to go. If you haven’t gotten one yet, don’t worry…I’m sending them all out at once. I’m not sure why exactly, but this is the way that I feel like they need to be done. The ones for memorial donations are easier, but they still take time. There are lots of those, but there are so many more personal notes to write. Notes that should be a letter expressing my appreciation. They should come with a cheese box or a special gift…but likely they won’t. Likely they’ll be a small card with a note that can’t come anywhere close to expressing what I really mean. We’ve been overwhelmed with kindness and I guess that’s good because it balances the overwhelming sadness. It’s just the way it goes I guess.
Anyone that I mention this process to tells me to skip writing them a note as it’s not necessary. And while I would likely say the same thing, I feel like this is something that I need to do. It’s forcing me to step back and take a honest look at all of the people that cared enough about us and about Paul to take the time to acknowledge him. It’s overwhelming…and humbling…and wonderful…and bittersweet. So I’m going to write the notes. Please pardon me if it takes a while. Lots of people loved my boy.
As I think about the kindness shown to us, I realize that this is all because of Paul. He touched so many of your lives and you did all of those wonderful things for us because of him. I really want to find ways to continue to honor his life. Stay tuned for the kindness campaign that I’m launching in Paul’s name. It’ll be fun! Paulie loved to do nice things for other people. As we go into the holiday season and get closer to Paul’s birthday, I’m going to ask you to consider doing nice things for other people in honor of Paul. Think about what you might want to do…I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!!
-Kathie