A Lesson from Shirley on Thank You

I have a confession to make.  My DVR is set to record the last 20 some Oprah shows.  While I'm not watching every single episode, I figured after 25 years the last 20 episodes will be some of the best, right?

At the end of the shows some celebrity's have recorded farewell messages to Miss O.  Last week I saw one that Shirley MacClaine did.  She said the following:

Thank you always.  Always.  A, L, L, ways.  All ways.  Thank you all ways.

And I thought, what a lovely sentiment.  We thank people all the time (and if you don't, you should start).  We thank them for grabbing something for us, for answering a question, for listening to us, for opening a door.  Thank you is a part of our daily vocabulary.

Thank you always.  Sounds easy enough.  You've done something big, or meaningful and I am forever thankful.  But thank you all ways.  That's a new one.  And when I first heard it I admit, I thought, how many ways can you thank someone.  With a look.  With words.  With a gift.  With love.  With gratitude.

There are many people in our lives that we could thank.  Teachers, colleagues, friends, family...  it's important to thank them.

Thank them always.

Thank them all ways.

Remember to live the best you can.  Love the most you can.  Tell the people that you love, you love them.  Take a break and soak up the sun.  

 Moments are precious, many things can wait... The Sunset Won't.