Salutations to all, and a Happy, Happy New Year!
If I seem perky today it's because I had a GREAT Christmas dinner with family and friends. I cooked for days and am exhausted, but everyone loved the food and each other, so it was worth it.
Second reason for good cheer -- my Aunt (father's sister) and Uncle gave me a BIG check for Christmas!
Now, my darling partner will tell you that I'm the only person who could make this into something to fret about, but here's the story.
My father's forebears were all poor farmers, but this one Aunt made it big. She and her husband built a big business, worked like dogs, sold it for a grillion dollars, then retired to the good life. Fast-forward 20 years -- she's got Alzheimers and they've decided to use their money "in the present" and give to charities and family. They have no kids themselves -- so big checks went out this year to me, my siblings, and my parents.
This was a HUGE surprise. My father and his sister have never been all that close (having grown up in an orphanage from the time he was six). I have met my Aunt and Uncle exactly ONCE in my life. (My siblings haven't met them at all.) I am floored.
So, my question -- how do I properly thank people I don't know? A card and/or phonecall seem ridiculous and inadequate given the size of the gift. At the same time, I don't want to do anything that would smack of a bid for more of the same, (but maybe I'm too sensitive on this point).
It occurred to me to give some portion in their name to the Alzheimer's association, but they could do that themselves and would perhaps be reminded of her condition... Maybe a gift to another charity they support? but maybe that wouldn't go over well...
I'm pretty sure I'm overthinking this...
Can anyone think of a gracious way of sending my thanks?
Has anyone here ever gotten a windfall from a distant relative, and how have you handled it?
Has anyone here ever SENT a windfall to a distant relative, and how were you thanked for it?
If I seem perky today it's because I had a GREAT Christmas dinner with family and friends. I cooked for days and am exhausted, but everyone loved the food and each other, so it was worth it.
Second reason for good cheer -- my Aunt (father's sister) and Uncle gave me a BIG check for Christmas!
Now, my darling partner will tell you that I'm the only person who could make this into something to fret about, but here's the story.
My father's forebears were all poor farmers, but this one Aunt made it big. She and her husband built a big business, worked like dogs, sold it for a grillion dollars, then retired to the good life. Fast-forward 20 years -- she's got Alzheimers and they've decided to use their money "in the present" and give to charities and family. They have no kids themselves -- so big checks went out this year to me, my siblings, and my parents.
This was a HUGE surprise. My father and his sister have never been all that close (having grown up in an orphanage from the time he was six). I have met my Aunt and Uncle exactly ONCE in my life. (My siblings haven't met them at all.) I am floored.
So, my question -- how do I properly thank people I don't know? A card and/or phonecall seem ridiculous and inadequate given the size of the gift. At the same time, I don't want to do anything that would smack of a bid for more of the same, (but maybe I'm too sensitive on this point).
It occurred to me to give some portion in their name to the Alzheimer's association, but they could do that themselves and would perhaps be reminded of her condition... Maybe a gift to another charity they support? but maybe that wouldn't go over well...
I'm pretty sure I'm overthinking this...
Can anyone think of a gracious way of sending my thanks?
Has anyone here ever gotten a windfall from a distant relative, and how have you handled it?
Has anyone here ever SENT a windfall to a distant relative, and how were you thanked for it?
