It turns out your mother was right: as short as they are, thank you notes are incredibly important. Writing one could make the difference between getting the job or not, so don't leave it up to chance ...

I wanted my class to submit a written gesture of gratitude to some instructors. Then I encountered a surprising hurdle.

Should I write a thank-you note for this bequest ... However complicated the relationships, they did lose their mother. But no, you need not thank the family for the bequest, which was none ...