Readers’ responses resonate, inspire gratitude
I enjoy emails from readers. They remind me we are all a lot alike. They make me laugh. Their words resonate with me. They make me grateful for the privilege of writing this column.
How do they tell me we are all a lot alike? Bill Parker — “I find that truth in my life as well”; Sharon Dikes — “I enjoy reading your columns because you are human — just like me”; Jim Kettler — “I’ve arrived at some of the same thoughts you expressed”; and Ann Cook — “Pretty much expresses my feelings, too.”
Readers also make me laugh. My long-time friend Delores Walker wrote, “My plan was to leave this world with the joints I came in with, but after a fall that plan was blown away. I’m the proud owner of a titanium ball in my hip following a partial hip replacement. I’ve been remodeled!”
Comments that resonate with me: Don Dunnington’s prayer: “I pray every day for grace to avoid becoming a cynical old man!” Jim Kettler’s “Our memory is intended not to show us all the times we have failed, but that we have made it through 100% of every hard time.”
Then there is the gratitude that flows over me when I receive a note like this one from Marilyn Vesely, who shared one of her journal entries: Thank you to a lady who writes a weekly column to say thanks for the good ideas she has shared over the years. The very next day I received an email note from her thanking me for thanking her. We have never met, but I would love to be able to thank her in person.”
Over 22 years of writing this column, I’d like to thank all of those who take time to read — and then drop a note. I, too, hope someday we can meet in person, but until then I’ll see you on Tuesdays!
Charlotte Lankard is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice. Contact her at clankard@cox.net.