Undoubtedly many of you have had the experience of being in a public space where you held the door for someone, coming or going. Did you notice whether or not that person you held the door for ever said “thank you”? And when you held that door, did it matter if you received an acknowledgment or not?
I remember the many times my husband and I held doors for others, and some responded with a “thank you”, and some did not respond at all. The lack of response would infuriate my Wayne, as the simple social grace of acknowledging kindness being offered is a culturally acceptable trait in our society, right? But I have learned, over the years, not to expect much acknowledgement. Just hold the door. I am thankful if someone says “thank you”, but not surprised if it doesn’t happen. We aren’t doing it for the response….are we? What I’ve learned, rather, and need to focus on is this: Am I saying “thank you” to those who show kindness to me? I’m sure I’ve missed opportunities, and if it were my hubby who extended that kindness, you KNOW he’d probably be PISSED!
So, before I start the day finishing the cooking and preparation for “the meal”, I’d like to pause and extend a simple “Thank you” to those who held the door open for me with love, kindness and grace over the years.
THANK YOU:
- Wayne Sr.
- Chloe
- Wayne Jr.
- Keith, Pam and Imani
- Aunts Chickie, Peggy and Effie
- Dave, Cathy, Emily and Eric
- Emma and all my sibs in love (Williams, Pitts and Mayes)
- All my nieces and nephews, blood and in love
- Cousin Regina
- Cousins Warren, Wayne, Joyce, Aquansa, Ty and Jon “Groove”
- Cousins Sidney, Christopher and Bernice*
- Auntie Ann*
- My supervision group…you know who you are!
- GCC small group …you know who you are!
- Tina, Trace, and Rose
- Betty and Frank
- My Chester neighbors
- Linda and BWFM
- My Flannery Family
- OUBOCES Staff
- Pastors Jarrod, Adrien, Jim et al, and GCC Church Family
- Bishop Carlton Brown
- Bishop Ezra Williams *
- Lady Dorothea Williams
- Johnnie-Mae Phelps, Karen Felton, Bebe Edwards*
- Rev. Faith Brown*
- Dr. Augustine Akalonu
- Urban Youth Alliance International alum
- Dr. Ruth Onukwue
- My Bethel Family
- Dr. Sharon Arrindell
- My FB family
- Our U.S. troops
- Our elected officials……..whether I voted for them or not.
- My grandmothers, Lula and India*
- My grandfather, Henry*
- My parents in love, James and Emma*
- My father, Derek*, and
- My beloved mother, Viola*
Whew! I am sure I missed some….
….And finally, to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. THANK YOU.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
*Deceased
Stacey Genenne 