“I wanted to thank you,” I said.
She wrinkled her nose and squinted like I’d said something funny.
“Thank me for what?” she said.
“You give me strength I didn’t know I had,”; I said. “You make me better.”

― Ransom Riggs

Thank you…

for parking with enough room so as not to dent my door

for remembering my name

for making me feel welcome

for playing my favorite song

for asking

for listening again so patiently

for sharing those photos

for saying “excuse me”

for asking me to lunch

for fixing my phone

for not making too much fun of me when I park me car like that

for not standing too close

for yelling out “hello” when I walked in the door

for sitting quietly in the hospital with me

for looking at my photos

for buying stamps

for forwarding that email

for driving all this way

for being persistent

for letting me past you in that crowded grocery aisle

for taking your hat off

for waiting when I was late

for showing me how to get from here to there

for remembering

for sharing your umbrella

for not trying to match my story with yours that’s better

for making room in your busy life

for not talking during the movie

for letting me know you got home safe

for not walking too far ahead

for buying my dinner

for asking how my grandchildren are doing

for putting me on your prayer list

for telling me it’s going to be alright, and making me believe it

for being a good example to follow

for holding up my bike when the training wheels needed to come off

for telling me the truth

for loving those I loved

for loading the dishwasher, again

for not complaining, the way I do

for lending me that book

for listening to me go on and on in frustration

for sharing your popcorn

for helping me carry in the groceries

for holding the door

for not rolling your eyes when I gave too much advice

for inviting me to that concert

for telling me about a new movie

for letting me know when I let you down

for telling me what time it really was

for talking during those long drives to keep me awake

for telling me what a good idea I had, even when I didn’t

for posing in photos with me that I will save for a lonely future

for not remembering all my mistakes

for answering the phone

for making a plate for me to share

for making me keep my word

for answering email right away

for being in a good mood even when I know you’re not

for not having to be asked

for coming to the rescue

for sitting with me on the balcony during a starry night

for a smile beamed at a stranger

for sharing some good news

for inviting me to sit with you

for being gracious when telling me how I messed up

for holding my hand

for not leaving me alone

for letting me share a little of your hope

 

“St. Augustine said, “The very pleasures of human life men acquire by difficulties.” There are times when the entire arrangement of our existence is disrupted and we long then for just one ordinary day – seeing our ordinary life as greatly desirable, even wonderful, in the light of the terrible disruption that has taken place. Difficulty opens our eyes to pleasures we had taken for granted.”

― Elisabeth Elliot