National Thank You Note Day

December 25^th may be Christmas Day, but December 26^th is National Thank You Note Day.  This date seems to be the perfect day to express gratitude for thoughtful packaged Christmas gifts.  This day is also a good day to thank the people who gave gifts that were not packaged but changed our lives in a positive way.  I have read many classic novels of characters who became deeply grateful to their fellow characters who impacted their lives in positive ways.  I have taken the liberty to compose what I imagine that these characters would have written in a thank-you note. Take this quiz and see if you can match the thank you notes with the literary works. I will list the answers at the end of this article.

1.Dear Mrs. Winthrop,

I want to express my deep appreciation for your condolences when I lost all the gold that I earned due to a theft in my house.  It meant much to me that you gently and nonjudgmentally encouraged me to start attending church. Thank you last but not least for your excellent child-rearing advice over the years.  I never dreamed that I would become a parent, and I sure needed the guidance.  I lost my faith in humanity over the years, and I am privileged to know a such wonderful human being like yourself.

With Sincere Appreciation

2. Dear Fred,

Thank you so much for including me in your Christmas celebration.  Your gracious invitation was far more than I deserved.  I allowed myself to become embittered for various reasons, and I rudely declined your invitation. I would have spent Christmas alone if you would have not invited me.  I appreciate you believing the best in me when I behaved at my worst to you.

With Sincere Appreciation

3. Dear Miles

I am deeply grateful for all the support and protection that you gave me when my identity was in question. I was lost in London and I sure needed a friend during this time in my life.  I cannot thank you enough for all the times that you saved my life.  You did not believe at the time that I was who I said I was, but you still were my friend. I vow to return the kindness that you gave me when I needed kindness myself.

With Sincere Appreciation

4. Dear Mr. Radley,

Words cannot describe my gratitude for you saving the life of my brother and me.  We had no way to defend ourselves against this vengeful adult and you stepped out of your comfort zone to save us. The community misunderstood you and we believed the stories that we heard about you. We now see what a remarkable person that you are, and you will forever be our hero.

With Sincere Appreciation

5. Dear Mrs. Jennings,

I cannot thank you enough for the support that you showed my sister, my mother, and myself most of all.  I suffered illness and heartbreak, and you were by my side despite the rude and judgmental way that I treated you.  Thank you for being a mother to me when my own mother could not immediately be with me.  Your kindness has made me a more mature, humble, and appreciative human being.

With Sincere Appreciation.

A. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

B. Silas Marner by George Elliot

C. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

D. Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain

E. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

To Kill A Mockingbird

Silas Marner

Sense and Sensibility

The Prince and the Pauper

A Christmas Carol

1. B
2. E
3. D
4. A
5. C