I used to work at an intermediary facility for people with disabilities (or some other technical term for it, I don't really know...yes I'm awful). Essentially people who have disabilities ranging from cerebral palsy to mental retardation and every ailment in between. itś been humbling to say the least. For many residents living there they are mostly dependent. For some, they can barely speak. Itś both a struggle for them to speak as well as to understand what they need.
There was a night I had a lady with whom I had never worked before. She was unable to walk or move her lower body at all by herself. She also had difficulty speaking. She could formulate words and short sentences, but I had a really hard time understanding her. For her, each word seemed like a lap around the track, each sentence, a marathon. I felt so bad that I couldn't help her more. I strained and focused to make out as many words, combined with small gestures, as I could, but I failed most times. She strained to pronounce each word with careful annunciation. I could see the strain in her face, and her complete frustration that I was not comprehending what she was asking. But I kept asking questions to try and get the simplest response in return. Minutes dragged like hours, but after much painful struggle, I was able to put her to bed, and get her comfortable.
When it was all (finally) said and done she fumbled over 5 or 6 words, and gently took my hand and pulled me to her and hugged me. ¨Th...aaaaaaannnn..nkkeeeee......yooooooouuu¨ she stammered, and smiled. A genuine, turn your heart to mashed potato mush, smile. My heart melted like a stick of butter on a hot stove, and I couldn't keep a smile from taking over my face. I turned off the light and we told each other good night.
Her simple response of thankfulness definitely astounded me. Even after I failed so many times at understanding her, and quite possibly making her very uncomfortable as a result, she still graciously thanked me for the little I had done for her.
This woman inspired me. her small, barely understood words of thanks made me want to do better at my job. To be better at what I do, to go above and beyond the necessary and take the extra step of being attentive to the extreme. I've realized that a small word of thanks can go so much farther than one would think. So, thank you. thank you for taking valuable time out of your day to read my misshapen thoughts and crazy ramblings. I hope you find yourself blessed in all you do:]
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