When is the last time you went to your mailbox at the end of the driveway to find a handwritten thank you note?  I’m sure most of you don’t remember the last time.  Or maybe you DO remember because it doesn’t happen very often.  How could you forget it, it made you feel loved and, well, thanked?  Of course, a text “thx” or an email saying thank you is better than no thank you at all.  But, how special it feels to know that someone took the extra time to find a card, pencil, and stamp, and walked all the way to the end of their driveway, maybe even in the rain, to mail you a note.  I’ve taught my children it’s important to write handwritten thank you notes, reminding them how it feels when they get a letter in the mail.  Like the other day, our family was surprised by a thank you note almost overlooked in a pile of junk mail.  It was even beautifully written in cursive, which is, sadly, yet another lost art.  Our children loved what it had to say, ”Dear the ‘Franch’ children,  We wanted to let you all know how appreciative we are for the beautiful ‘franch-fresh’ eggs!  We admired the color and cuteness of each one!  They were delicious!  We even loved the carton in which they were sent!  Thank you all, so very, very much!  We know you worked hard to gather them and we truly loved them!  Happy Franching!”  Wow, you’re welcome!  We find ourselves collecting our eggs with a little more joy in our hearts because of that sweet note.  I even thanked our chickens for doing what chickens do.  Well, I know there are a lot of people in your life and mine who would smile big to find a handwritten thank you note like that in their mailbox this week.  I think it’s time to find something to write with, some paper, dust off that kindergarten cursive writing desk strip, and in your best penmanship, thank someone.  Maybe, maybe even probably, they will write you back and then, just like that, handwritten thank you notes will no longer be a lost art for you and me and them.