Perfect time of year for it, of course.
There’s a good chance someone out there has shifted your writing life in a positive direction.
You don’t even have to trot out the flowery prose. Just talk to them on paper.
Ex. “You know what? You believed in me when I was ready to chuck it all. You were my audience of one and, at right then, that was enough for me. Thanks for being there. [and for the coffee].”
Keep it simple and sincere.
Then, go old school and pop it in the mail.
Polish off that piece of pumpkin pie and find that pen and paper.