Telling Friends What they Mean to You

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Linda A. Burns on November 11, 2009 at 7:32am

I love this idea, Janine! I'm all about "being thankful"...after all, it's hard to feel any negativity while you're appreciating the people and relationships in your life! As insignificant as this may sound, I find myself "thanking" my teenage son and daughter when they take the time to "ask me how my day was"...I try not to take these "kind little gestures" for granted...and it's infectious...when people know that you appreciate the thoughtful things that they do, it has a rippling effect! "Thanks" for this great suggestion!

Permalink Reply by Brooke Burdge on November 11, 2009 at 10:14am

I like this idea! Once in fifth grade, our teacher had us write our name on top of a piece of paper and pass it around the class. Everyone wrote something nice about you, I still have mine from years ago. I think that including a list or letter about a friend, letting them know all the things you appreciate about them or find funny or admirable, would be a good idea to add to a Christmas present this year! People appreciate those kind of things more than material presents, too.

Permalink Reply by Joel Feldman on November 11, 2009 at 3:03pm

I love the way Casey's friends have opened their hearts to us
I love the way Casey's friends have friended us on Facebook--Casey refused to!
I love having all these wonderful 21-22 year old yoiung ladies sending me texts, e-mails

I would also like to tell the parents of each of those wonderful Fordham friends how much their daughter's suppport and friendship has helped me to get through the past and how the promise of that future support helps me as I look into the future-so send me your parents e-mail address privately and take a chance about what I will say to them!!

Permalink Reply by Kelsey Butler on November 11, 2009 at 4:12pm

yes! this is important...as another 9M lady, i love that the five of us always tell each other the silly things that we love about each other (janine, i love when you do random handstands in the living room!). i think it's so important and i'm trying to extend that beyond my roommates and to other people whose day i might brighten just by saying thank you for being you :)

Permalink Reply by Cassie Foote on November 11, 2009 at 4:41pm

I couldn't agree more! Too many things get in the way of us telling each other how much we love one another! Embarrassment, petty fights, busy schedules. NO MORE OF THIS!!!! Neen, i love the way you always apologize for your alarm every morning. (its become my alarm clock itself), Brooke, I love the way you're always starting a new project everytime i talk with you, Joel, I love the small encouraging squeeze you give at the end of every hug, and Kels, I love how every trashy tv show i watch, i know i can also discuss, in detail, with you.

Permalink Reply by Dianne L. Anderson on November 11, 2009 at 9:03pm

What a great discussion posting Janine. It is the little things that people do for us that we can sometimes overlook, or even appreciate, but fail to comment on. For example, Joel does not drink coffee. Yet, every morning he awakens before me and I wake up to a pot of coffee already made for me! For a perood oif time, I almost began taking it for granted. Now I try to thank Joel at least a couple of times a week and remind him that it is just one example of many of the little things that he does for me that shows his love and consideration. I remind him how appreciative I am for that.

Permalink Reply by Dianne L. Anderson on November 11, 2009 at 9:13pm

Wow! I just read all of the other postings in this discussion started by Janine. How did I miss them before?? I can only say, as to the posting by my husband - DITTO!

Permalink Reply by Adam M. Seminoff on November 23, 2009 at 8:55am

The upcoming holiday is a great time to let people around you know how much you appreciate them. In our short and uncertain lives, nothing is more bitter than hesitancy. Don't waste time, there's not enough of it as it is!

Permalink Reply by Rachael Ceffaratti on December 10, 2009 at 9:19am

Hi Janine - This is a great idea and because of the economy, I will not be giving many gifts this year but I think this is the most perfect gift to give someone - and it's free.
Every day I read something new on this website and when I do, I look up to the heavens and say to Casey, "I bet you are so proud."
Wishing you a blessed holiday season.
Rachael

Permalink Reply by Rachael Ceffaratti on December 11, 2009 at 7:48am

Dianne and Joel- there are so many things l love about you but the most important thing is how you have turned your tragedy into so many positive things and how you have turned to us who love you, for comfort and healing. It is not hard to see where Casey got her love of people from - her generosity - her kindness and her willingness to walk the extra mile. I especially love the website that you have established which enables me to learn, every single day, more and more about Casey and how she lived her life and allows me not only to reach out to the both of you, but to reach out to others, some of whom I have never met, never knew about and those of us who are doing everying possible, with every ounce of strength that we have, to keep the memory of your lovely daughter alive. I especially love the fact that you came to my church, to meet people you did not know and to embrace them, just as they embraced you. I love the fact that I am now able to tell people that I love them more often. I love you all and now that I have made it a point to call myself a member of your extended family, I love all of them too. My gift to you this holiday season is my continued love, forever. xxoo

Permalink Reply by Dianne L. Anderson on December 13, 2009 at 2:30pm

I couldn't think of a greater gift this season, Rachael.

Rachael Ceffaratti said:

Dianne and Joel- there are so many things l love about you but the most important thing is how you have turned your tragedy into so many positive things and how you have turned to us who love you, for comfort and healing. It is not hard to see where Casey got her love of people from - her generosity - her kindness and her willingness to walk the extra mile. I especially love the website that you have established which enables me to learn, every single day, more and more about Casey and how she lived her life and allows me not only to reach out to the both of you, but to reach out to others, some of whom I have never met, never knew about and those of us who are doing everying possible, with every ounce of strength that we have, to keep the memory of your lovely daughter alive. I especially love the fact that you came to my church, to meet people you did not know and to embrace them, just as they embraced you. I love the fact that I am now able to tell people that I love them more often. I love you all and now that I have made it a point to call myself a member of your extended family, I love all of them too. My gift to you this holiday season is my continued love, forever. xxoo

Permalink Reply by Dianne L. Anderson on December 13, 2009 at 2:39pm

I I could have a pretty extensive list of all of the things that I love and appreciate about the 8B ladies (yes, I will always think of you all as "8B" ladies, not "9M"). Most significantly, is how you have all held us in your hearts and enabled us to be a continuing and growing part of your lives. Thank you for that Janine, and thank you to all of Casey's friends who have chosen to let us into their hearts and lives.