Posted by: Di
"How will you know unless... - 07/19/08 10:02 PM
..I tell you." This was a title to an article published in a 1977 Reader's Digest. My sister just older than me ordered a copy for myself and my oldest sister.
By the title, one does not have to guess what the gist of the article was. Summary: A gal was feeling a bit forlorn after being out during recovery from major surgery. After the "get will wishes" stopped and the flowers were dying off, she felt less appreciated and not missed by anyone.
That day, she received a note in the mail from a co-worker who was just an occasional friend. She'd mentioned how much she missed her wave and smile each morning while she was out convalescing. She ended the note with "how will you know unless I tell you?".
My sister was most effected, since 1977, by this article. And I have to say that for many years, without having ever read this short story, I vowed to do the same. My reasons were different from my sisters, but I always make it a point to acknowledge when a child is polite (I commend both the child AND the parent!), if someone does something that I think is so generous, if another soul says or does something that changes my life etc.....there are so many things that go unsaid.
My challenge to my Boomer friends here is to "Say it".....tell them you notice something specific. They may not even realize that someone is watching!
Look at their smile or hear the joy in their voice!
How will they know unless you tell them??
By the title, one does not have to guess what the gist of the article was. Summary: A gal was feeling a bit forlorn after being out during recovery from major surgery. After the "get will wishes" stopped and the flowers were dying off, she felt less appreciated and not missed by anyone.
That day, she received a note in the mail from a co-worker who was just an occasional friend. She'd mentioned how much she missed her wave and smile each morning while she was out convalescing. She ended the note with "how will you know unless I tell you?".
My sister was most effected, since 1977, by this article. And I have to say that for many years, without having ever read this short story, I vowed to do the same. My reasons were different from my sisters, but I always make it a point to acknowledge when a child is polite (I commend both the child AND the parent!), if someone does something that I think is so generous, if another soul says or does something that changes my life etc.....there are so many things that go unsaid.
My challenge to my Boomer friends here is to "Say it".....tell them you notice something specific. They may not even realize that someone is watching!
Look at their smile or hear the joy in their voice!
How will they know unless you tell them??
