Cheatham County Exchange
ASHLAND CITY WEATHER

The value of a sincere thank you — priceless




Steen

Steen

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” — Rocky Balboa

Under a lot of pressure to get life right lately, I have found my anxiety and ability to beat up on myself have been escalating.

On a phone call with an attorney who is helping me, I shared how I was feeling, and then I heard nothing on the other end. Talk about feeling exposed and fragile … She sent a text, “I only just now realize we got disconnected! I have to say I gave you one of the world’s best pep talks, and I’m really sorry you didn’t get to hear it.”

Just knowing she believes in me means a lot, and that’s the value of a good pep talk. Rocky Balboa knew all about that kind of thing, and I’m guessing you might need to hear it as much as I have. Life hits us hard, and when we can take it and keep moving forward, we’re winning.

My mother made the decision to live in a retirement community many years ago, and there have been some spectacular people we’ve met along the way. The people who work there are some of the nicest people I know, and when I stayed with her for a few weeks the past year after surgeries, I saw firsthand what a difference someone’s kindness could make in her day.

If I were anywhere else, I’d buy a gift to say thank you, or at a restaurant, I’d leave a generous tip. But where she lives, gifts and monetary tips are not allowed, but you are encouraged to give Pep cards to say thank you or to honor the generosity of employees.

I was cleaning out my billfold the other day and discovered I had written some pep cards but not turned them in. A bit disappointed in myself, I wondered how often we have good intentions of thanking someone but get busy and forget.

I know you know what I mean. We mention to no one in particular that we need to write a note to so and so or we need to give someone a call to tell them how much we enjoyed something they did. Maybe you have been in a store and had great service and think to yourself, “I should send a note to the manager to share what a nice job they did.” But often, you and I don’t send the note, make the call, or turn in the pep card.

Today, I’ve been making my list of people and actions for which I would offer a pep card or compliment or thanks. I want to invite you to do the same. Is scientific evidence necessary to prove to you that kind words carry a lot of weight?

Looking over the past year at the people to whom I would love to offer a pep card, I’ll start with a lady named Terri. She manages the place where my mother lives, and she never made me feel like I was asking silly questions, too many questions, or the wrong questions. So, pep card to Terri for allowing me to muddle through those early days after my mother had surgery and COVID-19 began to shut down everything.

Twice last year, my mother had joint replacement. Pep card to Stephanie, who talked us through what would be coming along, and to Dr. Otto and his whole team — they were so nice, and that seems to be what makes me want to give anyone a pep card — that they are especially nice.

During our recovery from both surgeries, but especially the first, my friend Charlene, who lives far away and had never met me in person, answered all the questions. SO many questions come with your first joint replacement, and not wanting to call the doctor’s office, I was able to just text her and ask if this or that was normal. Huge pep card to Charlene.

While I was staying with my mother, I wrote pep cards for Danny and Steve. Danny runs the “Soda Shoppe” where my mother lives, but he does so much more than provide breakfast and lunch. He listens to the residents. He is able to step in when family can’t come around and help the resident. If you’ve ever needed another set of eyes, you’ll understand why Danny deserves a few pep cards.

And then there was Steve. I needed help hanging and fixing things in Mother’s apartment, and he pleasantly handled each task. Again, knowing that if I’m not there, my mother has people who are so capable to help her gives me peace of mind.

My daughter-in-law manages a coffee shop, and when she could have kept her store closed for a couple of months, she genuinely worried about the regulars who needed what the visit to the store offered and the employees who needed the opportunity to work. It takes a special person to see all the pieces and players and be willing to spend the time to make things happen. So, pep card to Molly!

When I go to the grocery, there’s a fella who takes the time to say hello. It’s part of what makes me feel like my little grocery is MY neighborhood grocery. Pep Card for Preston!

Most recently, we’ve had major changes in the life of a close relative. Dementia dealt a blow that required us to move quickly to protect someone we loved. When the manager for the memory care was so helpful, I knew it had nothing to do with knowing me (I’m not that special, I know) and everything to do with how she does her job. We went from angry and scared to amazed and delighted thanks to Joy. So, big pep card for Joy.

Have you thought of some people you would like to compliment? There is no time like right now to reach out to someone and let them know how much their kindness (often, in just doing their job) has meant to you or to a loved one. You get to write your own pep cards!

The world might not be all sunshine and rainbows, but when you can take time to thank the people who make it better, you are winning, and so are they. And that’s probably something you already know.

Susan Black Steen is a writer and photographer, a native Tennessean and a graduate of Austin Peay State University. With a firm belief that words matter, she writes and speaks to bring joy, comfort and understanding into each life. Always, she writes from her heart in hopes of speaking to the hearts of others. She can be reached at (stories@susanbsteen.com).

Leave a Reply