Eight letters, two words with a space in-between. It’s the recognition of a good deed done, service performed, or expressing appreciation. “Thank you.” Eight letters, two words with a space in-between.

The short-hand version is simply thrown and tossed out there by saying, “thanks.” Quick, reliable, succinct.

“Thank you” is tossed about when the door is being held, the waiter bringing your dinner, and for the doctor’s time spent with you.

Then there are the gushy “many thanks,” not knowing a known quantity but a truly contented expression. How many “thanks” in “thanks” are needed?

We also hear, “I can’t thank you enough.” Please talk to the gushy person. Then both of you can total up on the how “many’s” and “enough’s.”

My favorite and true story is when thanking someone, she responded in her low self-esteem, “Thank you for thinking of thanking me.”

For you doubtful folks out there, you can always revert to “thinking of thanking you” as though a decision has not yet been made.

Third gushy person? “Thank you very much.” Again, that questionable amount. Now the three of you can argue about how “much,” “many,” and “enough.”

Finally, there’s that person with a limited vocabulary. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Unless you’re addressing multiple persons, one response is sufficient.

Here’s one. “Thank you” to all the indigenous Indians for graciously giving over your land to the pilgrims and the rest of us. And “thank you,” Indians, for getting back at us with your one-arm machines and velvet card tables.

“Thanksgiving Day” reminds us of how we toss and throw around and away those eight letters, two words with a space in-between.

The solemn “Thanksgiving Day” word, each and every year, is gratitude. Better than saying “thank you” because gratitude is our spiritual response to this freely given gift of life from God.