In my 40 plus years of
teaching, I made it a point
of giving a dozen or so
compliments every class.
A hundred a day being
my goal.
Compliments can make
people, kids especially,
feel uncomfortable, so I
would simply say some
thing like, "Cute outfit,"
or "New cut looks good
on you," and walk away.
My scholastic community
was very impoverished
and compliments of any
sort were few and far
between.
Now retired, I don't often
have the right scenario
in which to say something
positive, but every once
in a while . . .
At Safeway yesterday,
gathering the last of our
TG necessities, I saw
a young woman off to
the side. She was quite
striking and dressed in
a manner to obviously
express her personality
I didn't plan it; I didn't
intend it . . . the words
were out of my mouth
before I could help my-
self. "Oh my God, you
are gorgeous, top to
bottom. Wow! Just WOW!"
She turned around and
stared for a moment and
said, "Oh, I just love you.
I've had such a terrible
day and I've been so down.
I'm going to be okay now."
We walked away, each
smiling . . . We had one
more quick stop. There I
saw this old dame, and I
mean old. Her face was
a map of wrinkles, a life
long lived. Her entire
manner of dress was
phenomenal. My first
thought was, "I want to
be her when I grow up!"
I walked over and said,
You look like such an
interesting woman. Just
love the way you put
yourself together. Fab!"
She turned to me, " Thank
God, there are still some
of us around. But know,
I was having a terrible day,
and you've just made mine."
So, I'm not in the classroom
any more and my kids don't
don't need me to brighten
their day. But, there are a lot
of people around us that
need to hear a genuine remark.
I'm going to make a point to
be Ms. Jennings again when-
ever I'm out and about!
Now, there's a thought . . .
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