Some of you might have noticed a few weeks ago that I taught some sessions from a different location. I’m back at home now, but had spent some time visiting friends, before the changes to Covid-19- related restrictions. It was wonderful to finally be able to visit, but after so many months of not being able to I found I had forgotten all the elements that going away entails…. Not least who was going to take care of our four chickens and Freddie the kitten.
Thankfully, one of our children stepped in at the last minute, but the four meals a day required by the collective menagerie was too much for one person, and our kind neighbours were also called on to share the load.
We were overwhelmed at this generosity, especially through reports of Freddie’s “lively” behaviour while we were away. No morsel of food was safe, the rubbish bin had to be defended at all times against vicious attack, and glasses, vases and even tables came crashing to the ground. “You can’t take your eye off him for even a second!” our daughter complained. We smiled to ourselves, reminded of the years of chaos when the children were young.
But far from disowning us over our badly-behaved kitten, we came home to find she had left fresh flowers, milk, bread and cheese to welcome us home. We were very grateful, and hugely enjoyed inviting both her and our neighbours over for dinner to say thank you.
Sometimes saying thank you can be a joy in itself, and it is certainly a joy to be thanked. My children have very fond memories of thanking the postman Tadgh around this time every year. We used to make chocolate caramel squares for him, and while he was always delighted, I’m sure the children enjoyed the experience even more than he did.
It can feel a bit odd giving thanks or gifts to those not expecting them. Sometimes it’s easy to feel embarrassed by this – I know I have more than one card and present sitting in a cupboard somewhere, undelivered due to a nervous wondering whether the other person would think the gesture too much. But, obviously, I was overthinking it. Of course there is a time and a place, but I’ve never yet encountered someone who hasn’t been pleased to receive recognition or a gift.