Category: Words

A Teacher and a Cop Say Thanks

On an early morning this fall, I had to return some almost img_0015overdue library books.  I was avoiding the fines by returning my checkouts before the library opened.  The parking lot was empty and I am always a little wary of isolated areas.  I was relieved to see ahead of me an officer of the law also making his book returns. Though he was plain-clothed, I knew by the guns and handcuffs on his belt that he was in some kind of law enforcement.

As I approached the book deposit slot, the guy noticed my large stack of books and he turned back to hold the box door open for me.  I thanked him and as we both walked away, finished with our library errands, I offered a simple, “Thank you for what you do.”  This has, after all, been a tough year for policemen.

He smiled and in a thick Long Island accent returned with, “Thank you for what YOU do.”  I was happy to tell him that I teach at the local elementary school.  He told me that his three children had attended there.  By then, we were both nearing our cars and we parted ways. As I drove on to work, I felt cheered by both acknowledging his contribution to the community, and by the validation that my work also contributed positively to the neighborhood.

We choose our words.  Words of thankfulness and gratitude hearten both the speaker and the recipient.  In his book The Law of Happiness,*  Dr. Henry Cloud describes 12 behaviors proven to benefit mental health;  giving thanks is one of them. So cheer yourself and someone else:  say “thank you.”                                                                    In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

*In addition to The Law of Happiness, I recommend Radical Gratitude by my childhood friend, Ellen Vaughn.

Once, Twice, Three Times an Angel

I have been called an angel at least three times in my life.  The first occasion was at a parent-teacher conference.  A classroom teacher and I were talking with the father of one of my English language learners.  The father was soft-spoken and respectful, expressing his deep gratitude for our work with his child.  Then he said, “We have a word for you in the Korean language:  you are like a god or an angel.”  We were stunned with this description but felt truly honored by his tremendous, genuine compliment.

Another time I had introduced myself and offered some help to a woman sitting near me in church.   She appeared to be alone and I wondered if she had any family.  After a brief conversation, I gave her my phone number and email address.  About two weeks later, I received an email from her.  The subject line was:  “my angel.”   The woman had been looking and praying for direction in her life.  My availability in friendship and practical support, and the timing of it, seemed miraculous to her.  There’s much more to that story but that will be another blog post later.

Lastly, a friend gave me a mug with the quote, “Friends are angels following you through life.”  This one is a bit of a stretch, yet I keep that mug at work and those words have often encouraged me and reminded me of my good friend and her amazing life.

Words hold immense power. They can hurt or heal; build up or crush.  Encouraging words don’t come naturally to me but many times I have been blessed by the kind and edifying words of others.  So it is that “Gentle words are a tree of life” and “Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the bones.”  (Proverbs 15:4 and Proverbs 16:24)  “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up.”                    (1 Thessalonians 5:11)