A Simple Thank You

I learned a lesson today.

And really, I kind of struggled with this post, because part of it made me feel like an arrogant braggart, but here it is.  I think it's important for all of us to hear.

The words "thank you" carry so much weight.  Sometimes we don't realize just how much weight they carry, and contrary to the title here, they aren't always so simple. Sometimes, they make all the difference a person needs to keep on keeping on.

Noah shared something with us last night about a teacher he had over three years ago, how she took the time to work around his sensory issues so he could still complete a required task.  Once I got past the "Why am I just learning about this NOW?!?!?!" point, I realized--this teacher needs to know the difference she made.  Time does not matter, nor does it matter if she remembers Noah, or even remembers what she did.  She needed to be thanked, and she needed this reminder that for this one child, she made a difference.  I received a return email that left me weepy.

Noah woke up the other night when I went to check on him before I went to bed.  He usually sleeps through this ritual of mine, so he was surprised to see me in his room.  The next morning, he was giggling about it, asking why I came in to cover him up.  I explained I do it every night; I deliver his cat, make sure he's covered and snuggled in, and kiss him as I pray over him.  I told him it is something I will do even once he is married with a family of his own and visiting us.  He seemed shocked, then he hugged me and thanked me, telling me he loves me.  Coming from Noah, this was HUGE.  Simply huge.  It made such a difference in my day, and made me feel worthy.  I had to hang on to his hug a little bit longer than usual until my eyes dried.

See, we never know what others are struggling with.  We never know what's happened, what's going on, or what that person is feeling.  Passage of time should not matter, nor should the person's recollection of the event, or lack thereof.  What matters here is that we are grateful.  They still need to hear those two simple words, "Thank you."  And really, when you think about it, both parties benefit from saying and hearing those words.

We all need to hear it, from the bagger in the grocery store, to the CEO of the company you may work for, we all need to know we are making a difference.  Our husbands, our wives, our children, our neighbors, our children's teachers, and yes, even complete strangers.  We all need to that connection to others.

So, today I'm encouraging you--go out, make eye contact, and say, "Thank you, you've made a difference today."  Send that long overdue email, make that overdue phone call, mail that snail mail card.  Be the difference.

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world."