Hi everyone, welcome to thanks for being here, a short, weekly pod to remind us of the many

essential and beautiful ways we affect one another. Every Sunday, I'll read a submission

from a listener of Kelly Corrigan Wonders, could be wedding vows or about mitzvah toast,

a eulogy, or retirement speech. We believe this is probably the loveliest way to tap into

our better selves and remember our highest values. We encourage you to share this podcast

each week with one person you love, maybe someone you miss and need to bring closer,

someone you want to feel your appreciation or admiration or both. This is thanks for being here.

Today marks one year that we have been recording listener submissions for thanks for being here,

and I just wanted to say to everyone who has submitted we read them and they're beautiful

and we're lucky to be in contact with you. We've also been overwhelmed with beautiful work and

for us it's this incredible reminder of how we affect one another, which is something we never

want to forget. I encourage you to keep reaching out to us. Our email is Kelly Corrigan show at gmail.com.

We are trying to keep up, but we always get to it, even if it's a couple months later.

So thank you for your patience, thank you for sharing, and thank you for reminding us that

the ways we affect one another are poignant and unforgettable.

Recently on the podcast, I asked people to email us to share a story about their mother.

I was feeling like it can be a bit of a thankless job, and so I wanted to share

letters of appreciation, and the very first one I read I loved. It's from Andrea Wetzel.

When I was in second grade, my mom and I went to my school's Halloween event. There was a

cakewalk sort of like musical chairs, but instead of removing a chair every time the music stopped,

they would call out a number. And if you were in the seat with that number on the back,

you won, and you could go select a cake from the cake table. I won and let my mom pick the cake

...