Saying thank you - more often ✍️
Yesterday, as I sat beside my son in the hospital waiting for him to recover from his hand surgery, I couldn’t help but notice the kindness of the hospital staff around us. Everyone we interacted with, from the nurses to the administrative staff, treated us with such care. But what struck me most was a simple gesture from the cleaning lady.
When she noticed that my son’s bed was facing the wrong way, she paused and gently asked if she could help us adjust it. It may seem like a small thing, but in that moment, her thoughtfulness made a difference. She wasn't required to do anything, yet she took the time to ensure my son was comfortable. I thanked her, as I did to each staff member who crossed our path.
Reflecting on it later, I realized how easy it is to take these gestures for granted. In a place like a hospital, the staff encounter many people daily, often at their worst or most vulnerable. Their work is demanding, yet they continue to show empathy and support people who, like us, may be too stressed or worried to fully appreciate it in the moment.
We often forget to say thank you in daily life. We assume that help is simply part of someone’s job or that kindness should be expected rather than acknowledged. But it’s in a small thank you that we recognize the effort behind a gesture, big or small, and connect on a human level.
In our busy lives, it’s easy to breeze past these moments, but I’m realizing the importance of not letting them slip by unrecognized. Moving forward, I want to make a conscious effort to show appreciation whenever I can, to say thank you to the people I encounter, whether they’re friends, family, or even strangers who offer a helping hand.
A simple thank you has a power of its own. It’s a moment to pause, to acknowledge someone else’s kindness, and to remind ourselves of the good that can be found in others. I’ll carry this experience with me, hoping it encourages others to say thank you a little more often, too. After all, these small expressions of gratitude can have a profound impact, not only on the person receiving it but on us as well.
Let me close by simply saying thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and read this.