Tell Them!

Encouraging words have always been meaningful to me.  I realize that this is not the only way to impact people.  I also see how kind, sincere, encouraging words are often rare... and precious.  
After a long struggle feeling overworked and pressured, then living with Bells Palsey and still feeling pressured to keep up, I started to feel depressed.  I was tired of trying so hard.  I wanted someone to care for me.  Since I was a little girl, I wanted peace.  I like to help people and one of my default modes is peacemaker and problem solver.  One of my long time goals is to make a difference in people's lives.  

During the recent depressing days, I pushed myself to go out with family and friends.  Part of this was for me and part was for them.  One of these nights was an awards ceremony for one of my nephews.  He was being awarded for academic success and I wanted to be there for him to support him.  Later that evening, as we were eating cookies in the school cafeteria, my brother was asked, "Who was your best teacher growing up?"  He quickly responded, "Melissa was."  When my brother was in elementary school, he attended the school that I was teaching at and he was in my class for a few years.  I was fairly new to teaching.  I was passionate and wholehearted.  I gave my best.  I didn't know until this night that I made such a great impact on my brother.  During my recent days and nights of depression, hearing that was like gold.  
Another time this past Easter, I was still feeling down and trying to heal.  Another one of my brothers was catching up with a cousin we grew up with.  He randomly mentioned that his favorite memory of Easter is when Melissa used to set up the egg hunts for "us kids."  Wow.  I remember having fun with the egg hunts.  I never knew that this became one of my cousin's favorite memories.  These two examples show how even a simple happy memory, or a kind word, or a thank-you-for-a-job-well-done a long time ago can be so meaningful.  It was like ointment to my wounds and strength in exchange for my weariness.  So, tell them!  You probably won't know exactly what the person is going through, but if you have any loving words that come to mind, tell them today!