for the thousandth time...thank you

When I was younger my mother insisted that we always write thank you notes for gifts we received. I was never excited about writing said thank you notes, but always did it - and most begrudgingly. Most of the thank you notes were to my grandparents for Christmas and birthday gifts.

Several years ago, my parents were cleaning out my grandparents homes and found some old thank you notes I had written. They put them all in an envelope and gave them to me. Oh, let me tell you, it made for one interesting - not to mention funny - read. I'd like to share some snippets with you.

The first note, written on paper made to look like a piece of cheese, has a little gray mouse in the bottom left corner. I wrote the thank you note in a pen very close to the color of the yellow paper. I can only imagine how my grandparents and their failing eyes had fun with this one. There's no date on this note, but it was probably sometime around 1984 when I was 7. It says:

Dear Mama Sease and Papa, Thank you for the dress. I wear it alot. I wear the Easter dress too. I hope I get to see you soon. I hope we have a safe trip to the beach don't you. I miss Pepe (my grandparents' dog) don't you. I like when Papa said Pepi went to happy Hunting Ground.

Love, Caroline

The next thank you piece was written a couple of years later, and its only written to Mama Sease.

Dear Mama Sease, I just loved my skirt and blouse. I wore it for when all the graded chiors sing and twice to church. I can't wait to see you a Christmas. I bet Timothy has grown. Mom and I just loved the material for the blouse. We looked all over the cloth store for material for the blouse, but I glad you found it. Friday was our last day of school, and we had a party. We have this new thing we play outside, it is called Harry's and we play auto repair shop. It's really called Harry's Hardware and Car repair shop it's really fun. I hope you have a Merry Christmas.

Love,
Caroline

Could I say any more about that blouse? Geesh. If the writing wasn't indicative of a fourth grader, you'd think I was 85 years old and going to meet grumpy old men at bingo night. I wish I had a picture of "the blouse". Okay, and what the heck is "Harry's"? I do not recall that one at all, but it sounds like a smashing time - maybe the redhead would enjoy it.

The third note was from July 1989. I had just turned 12. Here's what this little gem says:

Dear Mama and Papa Sease,

Thank you for my pajamas. I love them! I wear them a lot. What are you doing? I get my braces on Thursday, Aug. 3. I'm not very good at writing long letters. This is no exception. My favorite rock group is coming to Carowinds on August 20. I'm exited. Hope to see you soon.

Love, Caroline

Obviously, at this age, I wasn't one for a lot of detail. And I love that I say, I'm not very good at writing long letters ...pashaw...look at this post! The favorite rock group?...NKOTB baby. Check out how I spelled excited.

Alright, here's the best one, at least to me. If you don't think so, leave your comments to yourself. It was written in July of 1990. Here we go...

Dear Mama and Papa Sease,

Thanks so much for the PJ's you sent me. They are perfect (underlined twice)! Has it been nice up there where you are? How is everybody? Did you hear about Riley? If you didn't, Riley is our new kitten. I can't wait until my birthday! I want to see what I got. Hope to see you soon.

Love, Caroline

P.S. Please (underlined twice) tell Bill and Marylee that I don't like New Kids on the Block any more. Thanks.

Another thank you note, another pair of pajamas. And Riley...RIP lil' buddy. You never really got the chance to live. Thankfully, Sprout, Dan-O, and I had nothing to do with that one. WHEW! Notice the post script. That's a nice touch Caro, send the message through the unassuming grandparents. Bill and Marylee are my aunt and uncle and they would get us cool concert paraphenalia (that word just upped my reading level a tad). Evidently in the ONE YEAR since I attended my "favorite rock group's" concert at Carowinds, my allegiance to them waned. Guess they didn't have "The Right Stuff". **sigh**.

Thus ends this installment of my little trip down memory lane. I'll personally write a thank you note to each of you who comment. But it won't be long because I'm "not very good at writing long letters".

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post, I just don't like posts without pictures, and this picture was the first one I thought to add. Meet "Edison Wise Wings". When you press his tummy he says..."Remember my friends, be grateful for what you have."

See, grateful...thank you notes...it actually does have to do with this post! HA!