really good with letter writing ettiquette?

[tracerace]

We have a neighbor and friend who is very wealthy (like worth hundreds of millions of dollars wealth!)...and she's the most amazing person on the planet. Recently she purchased the land/farm across the road from us and when she was looking at the plots she realized that a tiny little triangle of our driveway is hers. She actually asked us if she wanted us to landscape it

(we have lawn there and we have always taken care of it -- it's right in front of the house and it's maybe 40 feet by 12 at the most)...of course we declined and told her not to worry about it.

Well with the purchase of that farm and land she was approached by a dozen or more hunters who wanted hunting priveledges. She knows nothing about hunting so she asked my husband to draw up contracts and to manage it -- he did so in exchange for hunting priveledges as well.

I just recived a Christmas card from her, and a thank you note for "mowing and for managing the hunting property". In it was a check for a very large sum of money....large to us anyway. It is the largest gift I've ever recieved from anyone...ever. I'm dumbfounded. And I'll tell you, it couldn't have come at a better time, not just because it's Christmas, but because we are seriously struggling with our fuel bills - I'm sure some of you can relate.

How do I thank someone for such kindness? I am not very good with words and I just wish I could say exactly how I feel (I'm not even sure what that is). I don't want her to feel obligated to pay for the "services" because to us it was simply being neighborly. She is so dnaged kind and this community is so lucky to have her living here, that I feel it's a priveledge just knowing her!

Anyone have a knack for such things? Any help will be appreciated...

Tracy

 

[Neil]

Anyone have a knack for such things? Any help will be appreciated...

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Even though I was a writer most of my adult life I find that Hallmark says it best.

 

[Miniv]

I just recived a Christmas card from her, and a thank you note for "mowing and for managing the hunting property". In it was a check for a very large sum of money....large to us anyway. It is the largest gift I've ever recieved from anyone...ever. I'm dumbfounded. And I'll tell you, it couldn't have come at a better time, not just because it's Christmas, but because we are seriously struggling with our fuel bills - I'm sure some of you can relate.
How do I thank someone for such kindness? I am not very good with words and I just wish I could say exactly how I feel (I'm not even sure what that is). I don't want her to feel obligated to pay for the "services" because to us it was simply being neighborly. She is so dnaged kind and this community is so lucky to have her living here, that I feel it's a priveledge just knowing her!

Anyone have a knack for such things? Any help will be appreciated...

Tracy

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Tracy,

Personally, I think you have already started your letter! Something like --

Dear Mrs. XXX,

We just received your check for "mowing and managing the hunting property". How do we thank someone for such kindness? My husband and I are not very good with words, and we do not want you to feel that you should pay for the "services" because to us it is simply being neighborly.

I will admit that the check happened to come to us at a wonderful time because of this cold weather. It is very much appreciated. How do you tell someone that this neighborhood is so very lucky to have her living here and it's a priviledge just to know them?

With much appreciation,

<signed by both you and your husband>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How's that??? See? You practically wrote it yourself already!

MA

 

[Black Magic]

I recently read an article somewhere about how to write a Thank You note for those of us who are challenged in that area... (Raising my hand to admit it).

I saw the cutest idea, that I could so relate to, that was easy and fun and absolutely adorable. The people had made up a large sign (on poster board) and wrote a short THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH on the sign. The family held up the sign, a neighbor took the photo, and they e-mailed it to the person who had been kind to them. I liked the idea because it's something someone would do, that would be remembered for a long time. It took more thought and effort then a Thank You from Hallmark. It was a sincere sign of gratitude IMO.

I admit I'm challeneged in that area, because when I was a child, Thank You notes were around like paper towels. My Mom was on a ton of charitable committees, did volunteer work and often did kind gestures for our neighborhood. I remember one night, Mom was suffering from cancer, and you know, of all those people who had written to her, only one had visited her in the hospital. It broke Mom's heart.

IMHO expressions of sincerity are so much more important then spending two bucks.

The other day, our daughter, who is seven was so excited that I had done some small thing for her. Anyway, she wanted a cheese pizza from the freezer, so I said fine. Well, she went digging for the pepperoni's and cut them into the letters to spell THANK you on the pizza... Lol..

WHen my MIL (mother in law) sends hubby a check to buy a gift for the kids, he always endorses the check with his name and squishes the words THANK YOU on the back of the check. There are just so many creative ways you can let her know that she went above and beyond.... and your entire family appreciates her efforts.

God Bless,

Lynn W

I know... I'm into Odd... Lol..

 

[tracerace]

You guys are great! I have at least a couple ideas (and a letter that I can copy practically word for word, it's so good miniV!)...I"m glad I asked you!

Thank YOU, Thank you, thank you

Tracy

 

[Tobey]

I'm not good at writing letters but I just wanted to say I love your advatar Tracy!

 

[Hosscrazy]

You may also want to do a "google" search on thank you cards, thank you sentiments, etc. to get some ideas - I like Mary Ann's letter, though!

And Tracy -- your avatar is killing me!!!

Liz R.

 

[backwoodsnanny]

If you say what is in your heart it will always be right JMO