My fam got to come to a speech this week and my daughter Holladay wrote the best card I’ve received all year 😭

Sunday was a particular hard day for me…like the whole day. One of those, eat ice cream in the kitchen by yourself kind of days. Family strife was heavy. By the end of the day I was able to have the conversation I needed to with the individual I was in conflict with. We resolved the issue and are restored in relationship. I almost didn’t want to share this because, you know…being Mr. Thank You and all. But one thing this project taught me, if there is a relationship I DON’T want to be grateful for, that probably means a conversation is over due. No I didn’t write this person a thank you card, but I will after the dust settles. My note on Sunday was to God. I left this conversation with gratitude. Me and this individual were able to build a stronger relationship because of this struggle. That’s often how I see God work in my life. A cornerstone piece of my gratitude is the belief that 1) God is good 2) God is sovereign (rules over everything) 3) God does not make mistakes The moment might suck, but as @Leslie Bergen said in an earlier post…sometimes you just need to embrace the suck. When I accept those three points as true, all experiences are in some way inherently meaningful and tied to a bigger picture. Strife is the precursor to unity. Anger leads to love. Fear turns into courage.

Today I wrote to my neighbor. Our kids were having a lemonade stand on our country road on a Saturday...only four customers bought over 3 hours. My wife and I were 2 of them. One of them was a neighbor who is very sweet that we haven't had time with. She asked how much the kids were raising ($200 for a new boat motor). She appreciated they were out on a hot day, and offered them $200 to build her a chicken coop. They brought over the supplies, and while at our house, the husband shared about the cities plans to build near our property. They had private access (due to one of their jobs) and showed exactly the dividing lines where the city was building up to. This was invaluable info for us to plan the expansion of our little farm. Then they invited the kids over to fish on their pond. I know these are very random details, but they were huge deposits into our families bucket. Living in the country we've made some connections, but many drifted off since we don't cross paths often. It just reminds me that relationships that stay in existence are based in continual support. Asking for favors, offering help, inviting people over. They are initiated, activated, and fortified through continuous effort. A great reminder of something I can get better at. So...that's who I got my card out to today.

I received a card today from one of our members. J Brad Britton. One of my earliest business and life mentors. He has a remarkable book coming out called “Words with Sam” about navigating life with an autistic son. When you learn about what this kid can say when given a keyboard to type, it’s mind blowing and heart melting. So much hope for families with special needs children.

I was just in receipt of a wedding gift "thank you" from a young couple who got married last summer and they had finally got around to sending their handwritten card. I opened it with anticipation as I love the new bride, am close friends with her mother, threw her bridal shower and have known her since childhood. What I received was literally a two line thank you that essentially said, "Thank you both for your generosity and for coming to our wedding."....well, ummm...I didn't actually get to the wedding and it wasn't that large...and clearly they did not know what gift I had given them. The writing space on the card was 3/4 empty. The card made it into the trash as quickly as the junk mail. Sadly. Now, I'm telling this story because not because I specifically cared about receiving a thank you card- but because John's post was chatting about how it makes one FEEL. I was an obligation (let's get the card DONE) and I'm sure those two lines were on every card that was sent. It was not sincere and I literally dreaded her mother asking me about the card. Sometimes, if you don't write with sincerity and thought, it truly is better to not write at all. I still love the gal and her hubby....clearly! However, I really love to save photos and notes from those who show caring and love, and have given TIME to show me I matter to them. Sincerity MATTERS!