How to thank someone when words are not enough?

@klaudine (3650)
Indonesia
November 11, 2009 5:05am CST
What would you do in this position? I mean, when I was sick, and got hospitalized several days ago, many people helped me in many ways. They called me and support me, my mother sent me money so I can afford the medication, my partner came and bring me food because I live alone in my room. My sister came and helped me cleaned up the room. The doctor in the hospital was very kind so were the nurses. I feel like I was being taken care of just when I needed them the most. "Thank you" wasn't enough to thank them, and this feeling was bothering me until today. Have you ever feel this way? When someone came to you and helped you just when you needed them the most, knowing that they loved you and wished you all the best. What would you do to thank them? How to thank someone when words are not enough?
4 people like this
20 responses
@Louc74 (620)
11 Nov 09
Hi, Klaudine. I'm glad you're feeling better. I know from working in hospitals that a card is always appreciated among staff. It's their job, but it's nice to know that they helped, so just writing a bit in the card, and saying that their care allowed you to recover and go on with your life lets them know that it's appreciated. I just had a thought though. Did you ever see that film "Pay it Forward"? How about writing thank you cards, and saying to those people you're going to pay it forward to others, so that their good intentions will just keep on giving?
1 person likes this
@klaudine (3650)
• Indonesia
25 Nov 09
I watched that movie and that was really touching. I have never thought about doing it if you didn't mention anything about it. I think it is a really good idea to continue the kindness we got from someone to someone else who need it the most. Thank you very much for your advice.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
11 Nov 09
klaudine hi well once when the nurses were so really wonderful to me' when I was hospitalized with bleeding diverticulitis I sent them a large lovely thank you card with a bunch of roses so they could have the roses on their desk to enjoy . they were very pleased from what I heard later. My son sent them a box of chocolates and that really made their day too.
1 person likes this
@Louc74 (620)
11 Nov 09
Hatley, that's so nice. I know when we received something like that, it was always so nice, and the staff would all be genuinely touched, although it's even nicer to know that someone is living their life again having recovered from their illness.
• India
12 Nov 09
Your mother, your partner, your sister…they are all your family so no need of thanking them, you can always host a get-well party and treat them to some quality time, wonderful memories and good food AND be sure to be there for them if and when they need you. The doctors and nurses were just being very professional and doing their job particularly well…even then, you can always visit them with a bouquet of flowers and box of chocolates…the bouquet can be displayed on their counter and the box can always be shared among those you took particular care of you.
1 person likes this
• Malaysia
11 Nov 09
They have sincerely helped you when you were weak and I am sure what they did were nothing, but love and kindness. Just be thankful for that and remember what they have done to you. So, most importantly don't wait until it's their turn to seek for help. You can actually do something nice for them, offer them help to run some errands or just some small gestures if it's bothering you too much. To me, words are more than enough because sometimes, some people find it's hard to even say 'thank you' because they expect the other party especially if it's family to understand that they are thankful, but it's much better when hearing the words from their own mouth to make me feel that I am really appreciated.
1 person likes this
@klaudine (3650)
• Indonesia
25 Nov 09
Thank you for your advice, corry. I did't think about that before you told me so. I believe people would be able to feel how thankful I am when I said it sincerely. I was afraid that they couldn't understand how thankful I was just by words, and really think that I have to do something to return their kindness.
@rg0205 (2636)
• Hong Kong
11 Nov 09
Well, for me, I try to return the favor somehow. I try to be nicer or do something that'll make the other person happy. I may even go out of my way to get them something nice to show my appreciation.
1 person likes this
@getbrowser (1708)
• China
11 Nov 09
When words are not enough, I will thank someone with action. People often say that it is easier said than done. That is to say,it is easy to pay lip service to something, but putting something into practice is really a difficult task. If there are someone who have given me a hand when I faced some difficulities. Then, when he/she gets into troubles, I will try my best to help him/her go through the difficulty. True friendship can not be measured with money, friends and when required, not unsolicited, and friends have difficult time to come forward.
1 person likes this
@klaudine (3650)
• Indonesia
25 Nov 09
That's true, my friends were really great back then, they were actually there for me and caring for me. Though many of then couldn't see me directly, they sent me best wishes and also advices I could take so I could be better soon. Well, i am not good at lip servicing people, and by thanking someone with cation is something I am still thinking about. What kind of action would be enough to thank them for what they did to me?
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
12 Nov 09
Dear friend, I could give my thanks either through a gift that is lot enough to express my thanks or may be in other ways of doing some favour that is really worthy. But the most I feel would be expressing thanks from heart. Moreover I would be also care not to hurt the other while expressing my thanks.
@Chevee (5905)
• United States
11 Nov 09
That is a true blessing from God that you have all this love from your friends and family. You have a testimony, and you can show your appreciation by testifying thanking God first and your friends and family. Then you can in turn help someone that is in need of help from someone, just like the help you got. Tell your friends and family that you did this out of the inspiration that they gave you. Thanks can come in many different ways and forms. I really feel that they already know how much you appreciate them. Now show it by helping someone else.
1 person likes this
@adhyz82 (36249)
• Indonesia
29 Nov 09
say thanks from your deeply heart. even only say , the people must undestand that you appreciate what they are doing for you. but if you feel it is not enough, you must be kindness for them etc
• Philippines
12 Nov 09
hi, for me if the word Thank you is not enough PRAYERS will do the rest. Whatever religion you maybe in, however you say your prayers it would still be the best way to thank anyone. And also by doing good things to other just as others do it to you.
@MJAL08 (275)
11 Nov 09
Whenever i have somebody to thank and words will never be enough, i always take it too heart that i will never disappoint that person. Of course i'd still the "thank you" verbally but i'd like to repay what that person did for me. I would always lend a helping hand to that person whenever i can. I shall look up to him or her how much gratitude i feel.
@klaudine (3650)
• Indonesia
25 Nov 09
I agree that we should still thank these people verbally. Being someone who would be there for them is, of course, a really good deed, but what about the nurses and the doctors? I mean, I want to thank them too, because, without them there would not be healthy me right then. I don't know them personally and I think I should thank them too. What do you think?
@Godmother (476)
• Indonesia
12 Nov 09
I experienced something like that some years ago, and yes, like all the other comments of mylotters posted here, the only way is to always be ready for them, to give a helping hand too when it is needed. Never forget to send cards. send short but encouraging messages, that makes them happy to be alive. And always pray for them everyday, because your prayers might send a miracle their way.. one day.
• Philippines
12 Nov 09
well in my case,if saying thank is not enough when somebody has rescue from danger then its better for me to express it by actions..how? i must be sensitive enough to know what he needs not physically but emotionally,socially,morally, or even mentally and willing to help him all that i can.
• United States
11 Nov 09
Well if it was me for the hospital staff I would buy one of those big greeting cards that was very pretty that seems like it would bring a tear to your eye just by looking at it and I would write in it how thankful you are and how much you appreciated them being so kind and helpful and I would also try to find a reasonablly price big gift basket either filled with fruit or cheese or something like that. For the doctor I would buy a regular sized gift basket with cheese or fruit as well and a regular sized greeting card and write in it how much you appreciated him working hard to make sure that you got the right care to make you better. Now for family and friends I would probaly send them thank you cards and write in them how much you care about them and how much you appreciated them for helping you the way they did in your time of need. Well this is probaly what I would do.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
11 Nov 09
I would buy a little Thank you Gift I have done this many a time with my Neighbour because a few times she has had to rush me to Hospital and she always stayed with me to and as she loves Flowers, I will always go and buy her a Bunch of Flowers just to say thank you
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
11 Nov 09
Aside from physically thanking the kind people who helped, you can be sure to lend them a hand whenever they need it. You could give the ladies a little flower and the men a chocolate or something along with a thank you card. Just a little something to let them know that they are appreciated is all that is needed I think.
• China
11 Nov 09
If i am in this positon, i will give some small gifits to them. and put it in my heart. and If someone else need help, i will give him a hand with no hesitate
@angelajoy (1825)
• Philippines
11 Nov 09
When I feel like saying thank you is not enough to thank a person, I do good things for him or her. I do small acts of kindness to show how grateful I am. I could even do something that I don't usually do if the person really deserves it. I believe that when I show people my sincere gratitude, they feel good about themselves and repeat their kindness to others.
@kush20006 (515)
• India
11 Nov 09
if you really wanna thank them then you should keep on the tradition of helping others as you will get the peace only when you will help those need your help and you must help also them who helped you today but more important thing is to live for others till you get satisfied
• Malta
11 Nov 09
cash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!