Thursday, or any day really, is the time to drop a note to a wonderful kid.
Camp Fire USA says Thursday is Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, a time to send letters to any child to tell them how appreciated they are, mention their special talents and offer words of encouragement that can last a lifetime.
I asked a few readers if they would like to share their letters to special kids. Some incredible kids will be the lucky recipients Thursday.
I just wanted to anoint you in print as the coolest youth I know. When there are many reasons to bum, you find the bright spot and shine! Instead of problems, you find solutions, and you make the red and blue lights flash. You’re more fun than most people I know, and better to hang out with … and Lili likes you, too.
Shalom, Michael Maddux, 22, Marysville
You are the most incredible kid I know. You have a fun personality and I enjoy your sense of humor. I admire your kindness to both animals and reptiles. You have always been excellent at entertaining yourself and I never worry about you getting into things you shouldn’t.
I admire that you are working toward your goal of being a good swimmer … I am very proud of you for volunteering to be a crossing guard at school. Continue your interest in reading and never forger that you are deeply loved.
With love, Susan Springer, 49, Arlington
Tom Wunderlich of Snohomish wrote to his children
I wanted to let you know how incredibly wonderful you are. For the past eight years you have shown me the true meaning of love. Your willingness to help and take care of others far exceeds your age. I am always amazed at how much joy you get from helping kids of all ages and abilities.
It takes someone with a huge heart to pass up playing with a friend to help take care of a toddler for the day or to push a child in a wheelchair at recess. I know you have touched the lives of hundreds of others by donating your birthday gifts to charitable organizations. Your mother and I are amazed at how special you truly are.
I wanted to let you know what a special young man you are. You have taught me more about not giving up in the past seven years then I have learned in my lifetime.
From the time you were born you have been a fighter and you still are attacking every day to its fullest. As well as being a fighter you are an amazingly caring boy, you wear your heart on your sleeve and people admire you for that trait.
I can only hope that you continue to share your love for the world with the world.
What an amazing girl you are! You fill our world with light and laughter.
Daddy and Kizzie and I waited and waited for you … and when you arrived five years ago, our family finally felt complete! What a precious, precious gift you are to us.
Grace, you teach me so many things. Your heart is so open and full of love. You delight in people and your little hand in mine helps me slow down and realize what is really important.
You really are our incredible, sparkly, giggly kid and we are so honored to belong to you!
Love, Mom, Cindi Sinnema-Bowen, 41, Edmonds
You just turned 8, but sometimes you seem wise far beyond your years. Oh, you play with your many toys and you get excited about Yu-Gi-Yo cards and little dinosaurs, but you can also stand with cool assurance at the microphone to croon a sweet tune for a roomful of admirers.
It’s been bumpy for you since you were born, but you’ve been surrounded with loving faces and voices all along and you’ve reflected the affection with your eagerness to be good company every chance you get.
You’re especially fun to be with when you get started on one of your stories. Your vibrant imagination is sheer delight to hear and I am so happy and proud to be your grandpa.
Howard Garrett, 58, Greenbank
I appreciate you. I appreciate the way you play with all the kids on the block equally. I appreciate that you watch out for the younger kids and help keep them safe. I appreciate that you are nice to my old dogs, even though they are grumpy most of the time. You’re a great kid!
Patty Igo, 39, Everett
I often have a difficult time trying to put into words how special you are to me. I feel words sometimes can’t express how I love you!
These 14 years of your life has brought 14 years of new and wonderful life into mine. Your smile, your humor, your overall just being you brings me so much happiness!
You are a true gift from God, and I thank him everyday for you and your little sister. Kayla, you are not only a wonderful daughter, but you are truly my best friend!
Love Mom, Kim Gilbert, Arlington
Rob Smith, 49, Snohomish, wrote letters to three of his young cousins:
You are very sensitive and kind-hearted. You have a great sense of humor with a wonderful laugh to match. You are a good storyteller, plus you are the only one who ever asks me with excitement in your voice to tell you my hunting stories. You’re a wonderful young boy.
You are able to wrestle those heavy ewes down when need be so you can help them give birth to their lambs.
You’re one tough but beautiful little girl with a sparkle in your eyes and a pretty smile on your face. You always have a giant warm-hearted hug for me and I’m thankful for that. You’re an amazing little girl.
You are a brave little boy who lets me hold you over my head in my outstretched arms. Although your eyes get as big as saucers, you always have an open mouth smile on your face and a giggle in your voice.
Your bravery and trust you show me warms my heart. You’re a fantastic little boy.
I want to take a moment and thank you so much for being on the Mill Creek Youth Advisory Council.
You have been such an active member and I had the wonderful opportunity to get to know you when you served as the Youth Board representative to the Mill Creek Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
It is not an easy task coming into a group of adults and expressing your opinions and suggestions, but you did just that and with insight and maturity that is not always associated with someone your age.
You participated in discussions and were a leader in getting Youth Board participation at the 2003 summer concert series.
I truly appreciate the time that you have given and are giving to Mill Creek. (I know how important volleyball and your studies are to you.) Your efforts have contributed greatly to our community. My heartfelt thanks to you and best wishes as you complete your sophomore year at Jackson High School.
Sincerely yours, Lynn M. Devoir, Mill Creek Recreation Supervisor
Just want you to know how proud of you we all are for all you have accomplished and for your bright and shiny personality!
Sincerely, Barb Koenig, 57, Edmonds (friend) and Mobey, too
Jan Beam, 58, Mill Creek, wrote about her four grandchildren, Kristine, 13, Jaclyn, 8, Scott, 10, and Shawn, 6.
I am the grandmother of four of the most incredible children. I may be a bit on the biased side, but I think not. Kristine assists the Lynnwood Veterans of Foreign Wars with their annual Christmas visit to local nursing homes. They seem to enjoy every minute of their visits with her.
She helps assemble stockings, each with a little something extra created by her. She sings to the old and reads to the young. She begs to go to the animal shelter so that she can love the kittens.
Scott is the redhead of my life. He loves to help his Nana with her craft projects and is ready to assist anyone with household chores and yard work. He works with his Papa on Sweetie Pie, the car, or is polishing model train track so Papa’s trains will run better.
The youngest of my "angels" is Shawn, he is full of tales and stories. Someday he will be a great writer, I am sure. His imagination runs overtime. His blue eyes sparkle with mischief as he sits next to you and tells you his stories.
They are my life’s blood, the wind beneath my wings and the flutter that keeps my heart going.
I would just like to say that you are the most "Absolutely Incredible Seven-Year-Old Kid I know.
After your bicycle accident you still kept your wonderful spirit as much as could be expected. Now you are off your crutches and ready to get back into what you love to do, dance, as well as, every other activity you can think of using both feet. I am so proud of you for hanging in there!
Love, Mommy and Daddy, Jeannie O’Mara-Cooper, 36 and Kentt Cooper, 39, Mountlake Terrace
You are an awesome nephew! Do you know what I like most about you? Is it your funny sense of humor? Nope. Is it your wonderful imagination? No, guess again. Is it because you are so smart?
I like all of these things about you, but do you know what makes you such an incredible kid? It is your special caring and concern about all things in nature.
I think of the time that you told those big kids not to kill the ants because they were God’s creatures. I remember when you were just a little boy and a bird perched right on your hand. What a tremendous amount of joy you have brought into my life!
I love you, Aunt Kathleen Lefcourt, 40, Everett
Here is my note to an incredible kid:
Everybody in my family loves you very much. You are the smartest, prettiest, most wonderful 5-year-old we know. Though we don’t get to see you very often, please remember how much we all adore you.
Love, Kristi
Send an Absolutely Incredible Kid a note Thursday. I thank you, Camp Fire USA thanks you and some special kid will surely thank you.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
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