Mike Murray essay -- A Thousand Thank Yous

11 June 2010

A Thousand Thank Yous

-- by Mike Murray

The English are famous for understatement. We Irish, not so much. Our expressions tend toward the grand. When we wish to warmly greet you, for example, we like to say: “A hundred thousand welcomes.” In our traditional, Gaelic tongue: “C'ead mile failte.” And, when expressing profound gratitude, a native Irishman might go even further, saying: “Go raibh míle míle maith agaibh” (roughly translated as: “A thousand thousand thank yous”).

As Janna’s tenth anniversary approaches (we adopted her on July 22^nd, 2000) Pam and I want to express our appreciation to all who had a hand in her rescue. And we want to do so in a tangible way. We cannot afford “a thousand thousand” thank yous (expressed in dollars), or even “a hundred thousand” thank yous – since we are far from wealthy.

While we are making good progress on our modest house’s mortgage, we have not quite paid it off. And, although we have lived in our current home for roughly seventeen years, we have yet to spring for central air conditioning. We drive our vehicles for well over ten years (fifteen or more, usually). We take only moderately priced vacations (on which, of course, our pooches have always accompanied us.) We don’t eat out much. Hardly ever, Pam likes to pointedly remind me.

Simply put: we live simply. We are not “conspicuous consumers.” But that’s mostly by choice. Certainly, some of our frugality owes to nervousness about the economic future. But we also feel an obligation to share what we can with those who are less fortunate. We feel compelled to contribute as generously as possible to (genuinely) charitable causes.

We favor human- and animal-welfare agencies – specifically, ones that assist those stuck on the bottom rung of Maslow’s “hierarchy of needs” ladder. Not-for-profit groups that help those in need of the basics: food, shelter, safety from harm. Organizations that aid the desperate – people and animals who would, quite literally in some cases, perish absent assistance.

Certainly, that was so in Janna’s case. Her “time was up” at a public animal-control facility. And so she faced – as countless other critters do each year – the termination of her life. A private rescue group stepped in and saved her. It subsequently sacrificed precious financial resources in order to treat her for a serious medical condition. Volunteer “foster parents” gave her a loving home in which to live and recover “for as long as it takes.” Forever, if necessary.

Many of the dedicated folks who, directly and indirectly, contributed to Janna’s rescue have since gone their separate ways. But all are still involved in altruistic activities. All are still saving lives. And so, as Janna’s milestone 10^th anniversary with us approaches, Pam and I wish to thank them, and to assist them in their worthy endeavors. On Janna’s behalf. And, especially, on ours.

We cannot afford anything so financially grand as “a thousand thousand thank yous.” But we can manage a gift of “a thousand thank yous,” divided among the respective agencies. Money can never properly express our appreciation to those who rescued Janna. But it can, perhaps, enable them to save other worthy souls – and to provide many wonderful years of companionship to other grateful adopters.