Anyone who has known me for a day, a month, the past 23 years knows that:
a. I leave a small tornado of stress wherever I go
b. I have a really hard time expressing my feelings (repress, repress, repress - it's an Irish thing)
c. I like da coffee
d. Care Bears bother me on an emotional level
This year has led to many blessings I do not deserve. However, the past month has really started to take a toll on me. Graduate school has proved to be more difficult than I could have imagined and fulfilling 9,000 commitments (seriously, someone teach me the word no) has led to my well feeling a bit tapped out.
Last night the indoor track team attended our first meet at Hickory High School. Much stress and drama led up to our first meet (the bus could get us there not home, students were dropping out due to illness and other commitments, the meet's date was changed and unchanged then changed again). I was thrilled to even be on the track. As soon as I arrived, I was given the duty of clerking - as athletes finish the race I had to record times, names, and school affiliations.
I was in the middle of copying my 55 meter dash results (shaking was making it look like a 7 year old was writing the times) when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It turns out it was one of my athlete's parents bringing me coffee. Which you might think, "Cool. Coffee is nice." Here's the kicker: this particular athlete was not at the meet. Her mother had taken time out of her busy day to bring me coffee and check on me.
As I looked at the parent, perplexed as to how someone could be so nice, she began to talk to me. She said, "Thank you so much for all you do. I know how tired you are, I know how much you care for my daughter, I know how much you love these kids. I love you because my daughter loves you. You have not only been her teacher, coach, and mentor - but also her older sister. And for that, I cannot thank you enough."
I stuttered to find the words without crying. I just stared at her, doing my best to stay strong, and mumble out a "Thank you." I finally started to express my gratitude and tried to tell her how much her family meant to me. Instead of listening, she smiled and said, "You have work to do," before going to sit in the stands. I was later surprised by another dear friend who has finally moved back to the area (cough, Katelin, cough).
Our team took home second in the meet so it was a great night to be a Spartan!
As I finally got home to relax and unwind, I thought about the words of the parent. I realized how much gratitude can mean to those around you. Sure I know my kids care, but to hear a parent explicitly tell me how much I meant to their family rocked my world. You can never know how much a "Thank you" will do. Those who are appreciated always do more than expected.
Please don't read this as "Faith tooting her own horn." That's not at all what I mean by this. Rather, try to take the time out of your day to express your gratitude to someone. Those around you may have their world rocked by two small words.
