The gratitude letter exercise was absolutely the best!  I realized that there were several people I could write to, and also know there’s nothing keeping me from doing so – no dilemma here.  The professors I work with are incredibly nice and supportive people.  I have also become close friends with many of the students in our program, and they have listened when I needed to be heard, and shared their stories with me.   Many amazing people that are friends from my church showed their care and concern when I was going through my divorce.

For the purposes of this class, I chose one person to concentrate on. I had so much fun preparing a letter for someone who has contributed greatly to my life’s happiness - my boss.  He is a man of integrity and kindness.  He does many things on the students’ behalf, and oftentimes, they never even know about it.  He is a good example to me, and has always treated everyone around him with respect.  I am an administrative assistant, yet I am treated as a valuable member of the team, and not someone who is “just a paper pusher.”  In fact, I have been given opportunities in this job to go beyond the usual duties of an administrative assistant in working with prospective and current students.  My opinions are sought, and my thoughts are given true consideration.  I am given autonomy and trust and have the ability to make decisions.  I am not in a situation where I have responsibility with no authority.  I have been backed up in the past, and know I will be in the future.  I was thrilled to write a letter to someone who has created a work environment that I look forward to going to every day.

So often when we are around the same people every day, we don’t tell them how much they are appreciated.  Bosses are human, too, and need to hear more than the issues and problems to be dealt with.  When I read this letter to my boss, he laughed at the parts where I was trying to be funny, and at the end said the letter made him want to cry.  He said the letter was sweet, and confessed that there are times when he feels inadequate.  The letter made him feel good, and he was in an especially good mood the rest of the day.  I was too!