The Heartwarming Effects of Genuine Gratitude
Yesterday my beautiful little girl struck up a horrible fever. For a 15-month-old who has a history of urinary tract infections, a 102 degree temperature can be a sign that an infection is raging inside of her little body. This being the case we decided to drive her to the emergency room and see what might be wrong.
When we arrived at the ER, we realized that it was going to be quite a wait and we still had a list of errands that we needed to get accomplished so we decided to split up. Diane would stay there with Emma and call me as soon as the doctor was able to see them and I would run to the bank, get some food for them, and run to Wal-Mart to purchase some infant Tylenol, some diapers, and some other much needed items for our sick child.
When I arrived at Wal-Mart, I grabbed some apple juice and then I headed back to the baby department to seek out the rest of the items on the list that my wife gave me. Pedialite was easy. I had seen it before and it was right on the main aisle. But as I began to look for some of the other items, I wasn’t having such an easy time. Usually it’s my wife who’s picking up these supplies and today my inexperience was shining through.
As I continued to look, I spotted another woman in this section of the store who seemed confident and able to find what she was looking for.
“Excuse me,” I started, “You don’t by chance know where the children’s Tylenol is and where the baby wipes are, do you?” I probably had a pitiful look on my face. I was completely lost…a clueless dad.
She looked down at my cart and saw the juice and the pedialite and then she turned to me and smiled with this heart-warming ‘I’ll be glad to help’ kind of smile.
“You have a sick child at home?” she asked.
“Yeah. It’s my little girl. She’s burning up with a fever and she has a history of urinary tract infections.”
“Aww. I’m so sorry to hear that.” She then very patiently pointed me toward those items that I needed.
I was so incredibly grateful for her help so when we were finished I was sure to express to her my genuine, heartfelt thanks. When I did, she again smiled with that genuine ‘I’m glad I could help you and your little girl’ type of smile. It wasn’t the obligatory ‘I had to answer or I would have been rude’ smile. I could tell that she sincerely felt good having helped another person.
As I saw that look in her face, I thought about how good it feels to have someone thanking me. I absolutely love that feeling. It’s liked you’ve helped someone so much that they feel compelled to express it. They just have to tell you thank-you.
So I’ve simply decided that I’m going to work toward giving that feeling to others. When someone helps me, I’m going to express my appreciation. I’m going to go beyond an empty thank you. I’m going to back it up with a warm, friendly smile. I’m going to take the time to assure them how grateful I really am.
Will you join me in this? Will you spread that joy to your friends and family? Will determine to express your gratitude to those around you?
Onibalusi Bamidele
Reallt great lesson Nick!
We are all happy when we are giving this type of appreciative smile but we sometimes fail to give it to others.
I will also try to make sure I give everybody that helps me, comes my way or do me a favour a good smile and a great thank you.
Thanks a lot for sharing your lesson with us,
-Onibalusi
Nicholas Cardot
That’s good to do because genuine appreciation can really improve relationships. It is sadly overlooked by far too many people.
James Martin
Just found your blog Nicholas and appreciate what you have here. Also saw this post and wanted to drop you a quick note. Praying for your little girl. I hope she is well soon.
As a father of three I can totally relate to this feeling of helplessness and can imagine the gratitude you felt. I’ll look for opportunity to do the same.
Nicholas Cardot
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. That sure is meaningful to Diane and me. Emma is doing much better. We started giving her some antibiotics and she’s been sleeping quite a bit. She’s getting back to her normal, chipper self now. The only problem is that she is just waaaay to cute.
Trece
I hope Emma is much improved Nick, and that Diane is holding well. At least you’re with family, right – or are you home?
You are correct – there is very little more powerful than gratitude. One of my pet things is to tell customer service reps that they have rendered superior customer service, and I thank them profusely. (I only do it when it’s true.)
[You might want to put a "you" after the second "will" in the header.]
Nicholas Cardot
She is doing much better and we are with family. We’re actually staying in an extra room at my parents house until after my brother’s wedding which is actually this afternoon.
Thu Nguyen
I hope your daughter comes out fine. I feel you when gratitude is given and also taken. That’s the greatest part. It’s when it’s truly received as well on the other end. Thus, I’m quite inspired about your actions, I mentioned you in my latest post which strangely resembles this topic! Thanks!
Nicholas Cardot
Thanks so much. She’s doing just wonderful now and because of it I was able to enjoy that wonderful experience at the local Wal-Mart. Thank you so much for the warm wishes.
Joe Boyle
Great post with a good experience to go with it!
If we all could give a couple of thank you’s here and there, the world would be a lot more grateful and better place!