Gratitude Girl

Dear Chris: You've been on my mind... We met each other online exactly ten months ago today, but I feel like I've known you forever. On July 26, 2020, we were connected through a common acquaintance, and we've been in touch almost daily since then via Zoom, Twitter, LinkedIn, Messenger, Instagram, Facebook, email, texting, and phone – and as of today, mail – and collaborated on multiple projects, each of which I am delighted to have taken part in and cherish. Today I received the surprise package you sent me. I opened the box, and in it I found seven wrapped pieces and a card. Opening each one was such a joyful experience. I was speechless – with a big smile on my face. Thank you for the Kindle Fire HD Tablet and its case. Thank you for the “I love my dog” magnet, the cards, and the gratitude stickies. Thank you for your two books, Dear Gratitude and Dear 2020 , both autographed. All of this was unexpected, so thank you for the surprise! These thank-yous are for today,

Dear Mani: You've been on my mind... I've known you all your life. I was at the hospital the day you were born. I was with you when you said your first word – and you scared both me and your mom half to death because you were just a few months old and not expected to talk yet for another year or so. I was there when you learned to crawl... and then walk. I heard you speak your first full sentence, which was grammatically perfect. I was with you when you learned to play Pac-Man all by yourself on the computer. I went with you to your first art class and stayed there the whole time. I accompanied you the first time you attended daycare. We fell out of touch after I left Iran, but I've checked up on you and followed you on social media all these years, and I'm so proud of you. The memory of our time together has always stayed with me. I remember our adventures, the words you made up, the nickname you gave me, and so many other little things. Thank you for letting me be

Dear Uncle Abbas: You've been on my mind... The memories of the time we spent together when I was a child are always with me. You looked after me many times during the first ten years of my life. You were the coolest babysitter ever! We had lots of fun together, and I always followed your lead in our adventures: those weekends we went to the beach, those pranks we pulled on Dad — all wonderful memories I cherish. I'm glad we've remained in touch all my life even though we've been geographically apart for most of it. I'm grateful for technology for allowing this connection in recent years, I'm grateful I had the means to travel and visit you the years before, and I'm grateful to have had you to babysit me when I was a kid. I love you and I'm grateful for you. Love, Noosha Ravaghi

Dear Aunt Motahareh: You've been on my mind... Ammeh Moti, you're my youngest aunt and so close to my age that you could be my sister. In some ways, you are my sister. We have a lot in common: Grandma took care of both of us, we look alike, and we're both quiet. I've always felt very close to you and can often read your mind just by looking at you – no need for words to communicate. I remember when you were in university and studying for your finals. You explained entire biology lessons to me as you were preparing for your exams. I learned so much from you and was so proud of you. Do you remember we walked to our old neighborhood in Mashhad and picked mulberries from our tree branch leaning over the wall? Then we went to our childhood grocery store for cheese puffs and to our favorite street vendor for other snacks... I haven't seen you in about two decades, but I have all those wonderful memories I cherish. I miss you, love you, and am grateful for you. Love,