Thank you. It’s a lovely, clean little phrase that everyone should use on a daily basis. I often have to coach my daughter to say thank you at the appropriate time: the end of a play date or when food appears before her or when someone says she’s cute (because, to this last one, she is historically more likely to respond with I know.) I work with her on this because I want her to be a successful member of civilized society, a place in which it’s important to acknowledge the efforts of others. And because, in theory, there’s nothing wrong with these two words when strung together and used to express genuine gratitude.

For me, however, thank you has become something more complicated. At this point in my ALS progression, I need help with almost everything. From the start of my day, when my breathing mask is removed, through meals which are always prepared by someone else and often fed to me, to a bedtime routine that involves being dressed in pajamas and placed back under the mask, I am uttering the same phrase over and over until it simply becomes a constant reminder of all the autonomy I’ve lost.

Of course I want to thank everyone who helps me for every single thing that they do. But imagine saying thank you out loud to yourself as you make your way through your day. It goes something like this:

Thank you (for getting out of bed)
Thank you (for putting on a shirt)
Thank you (for putting on pants)
Side note: etc. on the other articles of clothing, but you can avoid one thank you by not wearing underpants. Just saying. Read More>