I was recently reminded of this fun phase in her life while sitting in a leadership training session where the speaker was talking about expressing gratitude . She suggested sending emails or creating an award that each person in a position of leadership could give out to show people how much their contributions meant . I raised my hand and suggested to my partners that they all make the investment in getting correspondence cards and handwrite notes to people . One person looked at me quizzically as though this was somehow outdated . I explained that in today ’ s world , where messaging is as simple as clicking send ,

taking the time to actually handwrite a note of appreciation is a lost art , and can really make a difference .

Personally , I have a file of notes that I have received throughout the course of my life , as well as my career . I will occasionally flip through that file and be reminded of cases won , or of life ’ s special moments . There is the note from my grandfather , on the eve of my wedding , which would be the last written note he gave me before he passed , telling me how proud he was . There is the note from the first mediator I ever had a case in front of , congratulating me on the start of my career . There is the card I wrote to my wife the day before we got engaged because I was sure that with the stress and excitement of the moment , neither of us would ever remember what I actually said while on one knee . This written trail tells a story that is so meaningful , that I couldn ’ t imagine not wanting to provide something similar to others I am friends with , or that I work with .

After the training , I got a call from one of my partners . They told me that I wrote them a note at the end of their first year at our firm . They told me how meaningful the note was , and how they have kept it , even a few years later . Without their knowing about my

daughter ’ s phase of loving to receive letters , they used a similar metaphor – about how happy they were to receive an envelope in the mail that wasn ’ t a bill , and that seeing that I had taken the time to write out the sentiment that I shared , rather than simply typing and emailing it , made it something that was truly special .

I remember my parents forcing me to write thank you notes after birthday parties as a child . I also remember my wife forcing me to help write thank you notes after our wedding . However , now I find pleasure in writing a thank you note – for gifts tangible and intangible . After I left my previous law firm , and joined my current firm , I sent a thank you note to all of the partners that I worked with at the old firm . I thanked them for helping to teach me how to be a better lawyer , although I was no longer working with them , it was because of them that I was able to advance my career in the way that I did . A few of them called me after getting the notes ; others I haven ’ t spoken to since . But the act of writing the notes helped me take stock of where I was , and how I got there . This self-reflection is invaluable .

So , in this time of distance , I advocate for a more medieval form of communication – the handwritten note . Like the perfect holiday gift , it can bring the giver just as much joy as the person to whom it is given .

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year !

BY JOSSNAT / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM

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