Get It In Writing

As a woman of experience, that should read, a woman of middle aged, one who wears many hats; confident, confessor, laundress, chef, driver, advisor, fundraiser, writer, seamstress, animal trainer, maid, event planner, historian, communicator, comedian, gambler, public speaker, procurement agent, long-range planner, shipping clerk, scheduler, hostess, travel agent, proof reader, accountant, nurse, promoter, cheerleader, spiritual advisor, coach, secretary, therapist and some unmentionables.  I could summarize that list into two words, wife and mother.

One thing I have learned over the years of doing the many jobs that a wife and a mother does is that when someone actual thanks you or compliments you it is a great day and should be noted.  Now a thank you from my husband is great, but he is a serial thanker so it is not a red-letter day when it happens.  It is great to be appreciated by my spouse and makes me want to make sure I thank him more too.

But for all you people who have or have lived through having a fourteen-year-old daughter a compliment from her is a newsworthy event.  Yesterday was that day for me.  For what ever reason Carter was particularly happy with me and told me, in front of her friend Ashley no less, that I was the “Best person alive!”  I had not done anything extraordinary for her, just one of the things on my “hat list,” but she just appreciated me yesterday.

Knowing the importance of that moment I asked her if she would put it in writing for me.  Carter picked up a pencil and a pad of free from some hotel post-it notes and wrote, “You, Dana are the best person alive- Carter.”  There it is, evidence that for one tiny moment I was good in the eyes of my teenager.  Now, I am certainly spoiling it by writing it here.  Hopefully she won’t read this blog.  But I do forever have these words by her own hand.

I know that everyone out there has encountered a situation where someone paid you a compliment or told you something that made your spirit sing because it was rare and special.  Sometimes it is so out of the blue that after the fact you begin to question whether is actually happened or wonder if you heard it right.  Next time kudos come your way, ask for it in writing.  If your praiser was sincere they will be happy to write it down – It multiplies the accolade because you can forever reread it.  Not that I am encouraging you to go around singing your own praises, but having that little bit of paper can make you smile, cheer you up or remind you why you wear the one thousand and thirty four hats you do for the ones you love.  Better yet, write a note to your loved ones and tell them how you feel about them — Nothing too over the top, just one really good sentence.