A Simple "thank you"

Do you say thank you?  I don't mean when someone passes the salt at dinner, or when you drop your keys and someone picks them up.  I mean a REAL honest "THANK YOU".  I know that each and everyone of us have been taught from an early age that it is always polite to say those magic 2 words when needed.  My children may be monsters at home, but in public I am always told how polite they are.  Thats what you want as parents to know that you have created a child that will go on in this world spreading kindness and grace...
BUT, are you really giving people the gratitude they deserve?  I take a look back at my 30 years on this earth and think of the previous generations.  My husbands Gram is a very special lady to me.  She is 84 years young and everyday she teaches me something new.  She has taught me at the ripe old age of 30, that I am not thankful enough for the people around me.  In her time it was expected that you took time out to send a thank you note, or stop by with something baked when someone did you a favor.  If you got stuck in your driveway and the neighbor helped dig you out, they got a warm pie the next day!  If you were given a gift for your new baby, you sent a hand written note. 
It seems like it is a no brainer...this should just be done...right?
Well how many times have you had someone do something for you, and just expect it?  Like when mom stopped over to watch the kids for a minute so you can take a shower or run to the store.  Or when a friend hands you down some clothes because their child had grown out of them too quickly.  Or when someone offers to pick you up something for lunch because you are just too busy to stop working...
I know in most cases you would always say those 2 magic words, but do we show our gratitude?  Do we expect too much for too little in return?

I know for me, I have gotten to a place in my life that I have things that make me very happy... my kids, husband, some of my family(lol), my work, and my friends.  I know that everything in this world will come to and end someday and that I want to take advantage of each moment I have with all of them.  The first thing I plan to do is to try to remember to always "show" how much I am grateful as much as I say it.