Would you send this letter?

[Disneefun]

Without getting into too many details, here's the situation: Many, many years ago, when I was a teen, I was a miserable, self-destructive mess and my attitude problems led to me getting sent home from a place that I loved. At the time, I hated the person who sent me home and was mighty PO'ed.

Of course, time has a way of making things clear and I now know that being sent home from that place was the best thing that could have happened because it finally exposed what an awful person I was becoming. I made changes in my life, got help, and now live a sweet life. Had this person not sent me home, I might have remained a mess and have made some stupid choices. I might have come to a realization about my life eventually, but I would have been much older and made many more mistakes. This person headed me off early, before I could do too much damage to myself or others.

So here's the thing: The person who tossed me out is receiving a prestigious "lifetime service award" kind of thing and I saw it in the newspaper. I've thought of sending this person a letter (far less threatening or invasive than a phone call or email) and letting them know what a difference they made in my life and that they made the right decision in sending me home, but part of me thinks it's stupid and I should probably just let it be.

It's not like I'm dying or anything and have deathbed words to get off my chest, but I just think maybe this person should know that their actions made a difference and that I appreciate it now. But the other part of me says I'm being overly dramatic and stupid and, even if this person remembered me (which is a long shot), they probably wouldn't want to hear about an incident that happened so long ago.

So what would you do? Would you send the letter, or would you let sleeping dogs lie?

 

[NHdisneylover]

I think it would be very nice of you to send the letter and I bet the person would like to hear about this.

 

[Maridw]

I think you should send it. I think the person would love to know that she made a difference in your life and how what she did really did help you out.

 

[2binak]

I would send the letter. I don't think it has to be too long or detailed. I think that many of us wonder what has happened to people we've crossed paths with and it might be nice for this person to know that you remembered them, that their actions had a positive impact on your life and that you're doing well as a result.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Write the letter.

I often thought about a Sunday School teacher who made a difference in my life, and even got her address. I never wrote the letter, and she passed away. Write the letter.

 

[EeyoreEma]

I'd send it - I'm sure it would mean a lot to the person.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Send it. Even if I don't remember a person (or an incident) receiving a letter saying how much I helped is always appreciated.

 

[antmaril]

Send the letter. It will mean the world to the person who helped you.

 

[Normangirls]

This (the decision to send you home) sounds like the kind of decision that would be hard to make, and may have weighed on this person mind. It may relieve them to know that, while it was (maybe) hard for them to do, it had a big impact on you in a positive way.

Send the letter, and good for you!

 

[Teacher03]

Send it..it will positive for the both of you.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Send the letter!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Look at it this way - if the person really doesn't remember you, it's easy to ignore a letter, and you haven't even taken up two minutes of his or her time.

But if they do remember (and I believe that is far more likely!) they will treasure your letter even more than you know.

You are sweet to want to tell them what a wonderful difference they made, and you should definitely do it.

 

[Ceila]

Without getting into too many details, here's the situation: Many, many years ago, when I was a teen, I was a miserable, self-destructive mess and my attitude problems led to me getting sent home from a place that I loved. At the time, I hated the person who sent me home and was mighty PO'ed.

Of course, time has a way of making things clear and I now know that being sent home from that place was the best thing that could have happened because it finally exposed what an awful person I was becoming. I made changes in my life, got help, and now live a sweet life. Had this person not sent me home, I might have remained a mess and have made some stupid choices. I might have come to a realization about my life eventually, but I would have been much older and made many more mistakes. This person headed me off early, before I could do too much damage to myself or others.

So here's the thing: The person who tossed me out is receiving a prestigious "lifetime service award" kind of thing and I saw it in the newspaper. I've thought of sending this person a letter (far less threatening or invasive than a phone call or email) and letting them know what a difference they made in my life and that they made the right decision in sending me home, but part of me thinks it's stupid and I should probably just let it be.

It's not like I'm dying or anything and have deathbed words to get off my chest, but I just think maybe this person should know that their actions made a difference and that I appreciate it now. But the other part of me says I'm being overly dramatic and stupid and, even if this person remembered me (which is a long shot), they probably wouldn't want to hear about an incident that happened so long ago.

So what would you do? Would you send the letter, or would you let sleeping dogs lie?

I think the other person would be very touched to receive such a letter. Send it.

 

[shirleyb]

Send it. I'm sure you will make his/her day.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

Send the letter. It will mean the world to the person who helped you.

 

[Agri]

Send the letter, but don't go into a lot of details. Just make sure you let them know that you can now appreciate what they did for you and how well you turned out.

(My mom used to teach kindergarten and I cannot tell you how many times someone came up to her and told her how she positively impacted their life...only to go into way more detail than anyone needed to hear. )

 

[nmmom95]

Another vote to send the letter.

 

[quasar4legs]

Send the letter and I'm glad things worked out for you

 

[Hannathy]

Send the letter! And I bet the reason they are getting the lifetime service award is because YOU aren't the only one out there that they made a difference in their life.

Send the letter and I would go so far as to say send a modified version to the agency giving her the award. I be they would love to hear from someone she has actually helped long ago. You could do it anonymously to the agency if you would want.

 

[holycow]

Send the letter. It will put it at rest in your mind and give you peace and it may give them some satisfaction in knowing you are happy.