Social Graces

In communicating with students' parents via email, I have learned the power of starting all emails with a simple, "Thank you for your note." I learned that social grace from my former professor, Dr. Colomy. Ah, the things you learn in college that will equip you for effective functioning as an adult in this world. You could say it's all nothing more than pretty talk to get by easier, with less conflict, or in the most base of terms, it's brown nosing. I actually think it's more deeply good than that, though. I love being thankful! That's the optimist's view. Life is much easier, and I would suspect more relationally productive, that way.