I've tried to help my nephew along the way. My goal is to be a source of encouragement and support to all the young people in my life. With my nephew it took the form of giving him some summer work to do to earn money, helping him get organized for college applications, financial aid forms and to take the SAT. I am sure that I annoyed him many times... keeping him on task, following up on deadlines, etc.
So, it was especially touching to me, that at his graduation, he took the opportunity to say thank you in a very sweet way.
Each of the kids was given 3 roses when they picked up their diploma. At a later point in the ceremony, they were free to go out into the audience and give the roses to people they wanted to thank for their support and encouragement.
I was truly delighted that I was one of the recipients of my nephew's roses.
It was a simple thing, but it meant a lot to me. To be acknowledged is a lovely thing.
I kept that rose near me for the entire length of it's life! It actually lasted about 10 days! I'd move it from place to place so that I could look at it no matter what I was doing.
Letting people know that we care about them, that they matter to us, and that we appreciate their contributions to our lives is a wonderful and powerful practice. It doesn't have to be anything fancy!
Sharing our appreciation with each other, and acknowledging the roles that people play in our lives is one of the things that truly makes life worth living.
Why not take a moment today, and send off an email, or a card, or even a small gift to someone who has made a difference in your life? It feels good to do it... and it sure feels good to be on the receiving end of such a blessing!
The rose my nephew presented to me
at his graduation
