I remember the first time I heard my Dad say, " Did anyone tell you today that you are amazing?"
We were in a small restaurant in Dallas, on our way to a conference in southern Texas. The waitress was having a tough time, as it was busy and you could tell that she was frazzled. It took a long time to get our food and she kept apologizing for the wait. Normally when things like that would happen, I would always leave a bigger tip. As someone who put herself through college waiting tables I was very sensitive to the energy it takes in the restaurant business. And that is on a good day.
As we got up to leave and walk towards the door, I saw my Dad go back and say something to the server. She smiles and her body language changed. Curious I said to my Dad after we got in to the car,, " So what did you say to the server?" He smiled and said "I asked her if anyone had told her today that she was amazing?. " She said, "No sir, they have not. So I told she was and thanked her again for doing such an awesome job."
I asked him how many times he did that? " Every chance I get. You see all of us at the end of the day want to be seen. We move around in our lives and don't see each other. We especially tend not to see those people who make our lives easier.. So If we can make their day just a little bit brighter by acknowledging that we see them, well my daughter that is how we raise each other up." My father passed away unexpectedly a year later. I remember at his celebration of life how many people told me my Dad always made them feel better about themselves. It was indeed a gift that he had.
I adopted that practice and still do it to this day. I don't always use the phrase "Has anyone told you?" That was more his Big Texas style. But I do let people know I appreciate them. That I see them and want them to know they are doing a wonderful job.
About four years ago my husband and I were in a Whole Foods in Denver, Colorado where we were visiting our son Chase. We were being goody and laughing about something that had happened the night before. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a woman coming up to us and she said " I just want to tell you it is so nice to see two people at your age obviously so much in love." I thanked her and off she went. I had not thought of that moment in a long time. But it is something that is etched in my heart. Because that person saw us. She not only saw us, but she took the time and acknowledged that she was a witness to our love for one another. My husband has been gone from this earth for over two years now, but what a gift that woman gave to me.
And so I pay it forward. And you can too. All it takes is 60 seconds to makes someones day. All it takes
is thanking someone for going the extra mile and letting them know you see them. All it takes is sharing your day with kindness by saying, " you did an awesome job." And if you are so moved to do it Texas style, just smile and say" Has anyone told you today YOU ARE AWESOME?"