Once upon a time, a man named William Stidger, who taught at Boston University, took a moment to think about all the people in his life who had helped him and made a difference. These were the people who had inspired him, cared for him, or taught him valuable lessons that stayed with him forever.
One person he remembered was a schoolteacher from his childhood whom he hadn’t seen in many years. But he never forgot how she had sparked his love for poetry by introducing him to beautiful verses. William decided to write her a letter to say thank you.
When he received a reply, written in shaky handwriting, he was filled with joy. The letter began with the words, “My dear Willie.” Even though William was now over 50 years old, bald, and a professor, he felt like a little boy again. He never expected anyone to call him “Willie” at this stage of his life.
The letter from his old teacher touched his heart deeply. She told him that she was now in her eighties, living alone, and feeling lonely like the last leaf of autumn clinging to a tree. Despite her solitude, his letter brought her immense joy and warmth on a cold morning. She revealed that in her 50 years of teaching, his letter was the first expression of appreciation she had ever received.
William was moved to tears by her words. He realized that there were many people like his old teacher in his past – people who had made a difference in his life but were never properly thanked. He called them the “great un-thanked people” from his past.
We all have such people in our lives – teachers, coaches, mentors, and others who have touched our hearts and shaped our lives in meaningful ways. They are the ones who believed in us, encouraged us, and helped us grow.
William’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to express gratitude to these special people. So, take a moment to think about the un-thanked people from your past. Maybe it’s a teacher who inspired you, a coach who pushed you to be your best, or a friend who was always there for you. Let them know how much they mean to you. A simple “thank you” can brighten their day and fill their hearts with joy.