Letters of Gratitude from History
Before email and text messages, handwritten letters were the most personal way to express what mattered most, and few things are more moving than a letter of gratitude. Throughout history, some of the most remarkable people have paused to put their appreciation into words, creating lasting records of kindness, humility, and human connection.
One beautiful example comes from George Washington. Near the end of the Revolutionary War, Washington wrote heartfelt letters to his soldiers, thanking them for their courage, sacrifice, and endurance.
In one such letter, he expressed that no words could truly repay their devotion to liberty, but he hoped peace and prosperity would reward their bravery.
These were not just formal military notes; they were
sincere messages from a leader who understood that his success rested on the shoulders of those who followed him.
Another deeply touching letter of gratitude came from Helen Keller to her beloved teacher, Anne Sullivan. After years of patient instruction, Anne helped Helen break through the isolation of being both blind
and deaf, teaching her how to communicate with the world.
In a letter, Helen once wrote that her teacher’s love had “lifted her soul from darkness into light.” Those words still echo today as a testament to how one person’s care can completely change
another’s life.
There are many other examples: Albert Einstein writing to a friend to express thanks for moral support during challenging times; President Abraham Lincoln’s 1864 letter to Mrs. Bixby, the mother of five sons who died fighting for the Union, expressing the nation’s profound sympathy and gratitude; and even
letters exchanged between artists, authors, and everyday people, each filled with appreciation for kindness received.
These moments remind us that saying “thank you” in writing transforms gratitude from a fleeting emotion into a permanent act of
remembrance.
As the holiday season approaches, consider writing
your own letter of thanks; not an email or quick text, but a genuine note written by hand. Think of someone who made a difference in your life: a teacher who believed in you, a friend who stood by you during a tough time, a relative who quietly supported you, or even a colleague who made your workdays brighter. It doesn’t have to be long or poetic. The magic is in the sincerity. Expressing appreciation reminds both the sender and receiver of the good that exists between people. And while the world has changed since Washington and Keller held their pens, the power of gratitude has not.
Find a quiet moment, a favorite pen, and a sheet of paper or a blank card. Write that letter. It may be the most meaningful gift you give all season, and one that, like those famous letters of the past, might be treasured for years to come.
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Here's what just one GON reader had to say...
"I loved the personal thank you note from Marianne Rankin in your July 5th issue. Ditto! Thank you!"-- Julie Huff
