Show Someone That You Care

I got the impetus to write this article from something that happened to me the other day. (As I usually do). I received a note from a young lady in a meeting that we regularly attend together. In these meetings we freely express ourselves on a regular basis. In her note she told me that she was encouraged by something that I said months ago. (If you are familiar with my articles, My Phenomenal Memory, you know I didn't remember). She expressed her appreciation to me with such heartfelt words that it choked me up. So, as usual through my musings I came up with an idea for this article.

Unless we are heartless and cruel, there is someone we can show that emotion to. As a matter of fact there should be a lot of someones we can show it to. For instance my ex-husband was a mailman, and he said he really appreciated it when, on a hot day, someone would give him a cold drink of water. He encouraged us as a family to always offer our mailman water.  Of course, we always do, most of them really appreciate the gesture.

Let's take it back from there. What about the nice neighbor, that always speak to you, or maybe even the not so nice neighbor that never speaks to you, could you try to break the ice, (I'm just saying)? There's the workmate, the carpool person, the schoolteacher classmate, the doorman, the janitor, the food service person, (cafe, fast food, restaurant), salesperson, hair care person, (barber, beautician). Your family member, (mother, father, brother, sister, child, grandparent and so on). Okay, I guess, you get the picture.

As we have seen in the two real life instances above, sometimes simple gestures are the best, and most remembered. Why don't we explore this from the standpoint of the times that we are living in. By that I mean let's look at showing someone we care with either little or no cash outlay. For instance, a little outlay of cash would be a piece of fruit, simple floral bouquet, stationary, or in the case of a computer enthusiast, a ream of paper or ink. No cash outlay could be a handwritten note, bringing in trash cans or newspaper, offering to clean the yard or mow the lawn.

We show someone we care, for who they are, what they have done and do for us, we can simply just show them that we care that they are there.

Let's break it down.

1. Beginning with the family: Children, old and young alike, take heed. Showing a parent that you care for them. Young people living at home, simply speaking in a respectful tone, could sometimes do the trick. How about thank you. Too simple? Well why not clean something (maybe their room, without being asked), how about preparing dinner, or maybe just making a plate and bringing it to them. By doing these types of things you show that you care for them, and that you appreciate the care that they give you. What about those of us living away from home, don't we still care? A call, letter, or email. If we live close enough, a regular visit could just make life worth living for them.
2. Parents: Beyond the normal parent child dynamics, there are special things you can do to show that you really care for your offspring. For instance, what about, just saying thank you when they perform some task that was assigned to them. Of course, there are the normal obligations of a parent, feeding, clothing and taking care of their general welfare. However, there are certain things not mandated, let's say, attending school functions, outings with your children, personal one on one time. Since these things are not obligatory, some parents don't see this as necessary to their being considered a good parent. They are under the impression that if they provide the latest in clothing and shoe designs, and a very nice home, they've proven themselves to be the quintessential parent. Surprise, surprise, parents that's not it, if you doubt that, just ask, I mean really ask your young ones what would really make them happy. Don't be surprised if it's not the latest designer outfit, or sports shoe. I digress. Why not just show up at the next school function, even if it is a work day. Can you take a day off from work and, or the weekend if you can't afford to miss work, and do something special with them, like breakfast, the movie, dinner, make the day all about them? I promise you won't regret it. I have a son that always remembers our days of fish and Popeye, (long story). By doing these things parents, you are showing that you care for them not just as your child, but for being a decent human being. As usual, a lot more can be done, but for the sake of brevity, we'll let the reader fill in the blanks.
3. What about your favorite service person. For instance, Do you eat out regularly, say at the same place or two? Could you send the establishment a card or some other form of appreciation, to let them know that you care that they are in the community? Then there's the person that cooks the food, you must enjoy it, or why would you continue to eat there, so let them know that you care. A card or a note would probably suffice here, and don't forget the server.
   
4. There's the Teacher. Parents, do you know of a teacher who has taken special care to educate your young one? Perhaps, if you can afford it, you could provide the teacher with something they use in the classroom that they usually provide themselves, or again maybe just a note of appreciation. What about an inexpensive gift card from their favorite eatery.
5. Students, what about your favorite teacher, or even the not so favorite, maybe the one who's helping you achieve your goals, you know the saying, "an apple for the teacher," that can actually be a reality. It doesn't necessarily have to be an apple, but a treat of some kind. However, we're back to the card or note, I know it can work, because I have every card or note of appreciation that I've ever been given, and sometimes, to feel good on a down day, I'll read a few.
6. I'd like to explore one more in depth. The hair care person, (barber or beautician). By calling them that, I hope I'm not being politically incorrect. Anyway, Patron, do you like what they do to your hair? Well then, if you want them to continue, then show them that you care, with, here we go again, the trusty thank you card. Oh yes, here's a novel idea,(tongue in cheek), why not tip them next time. Hair Care Person, do you love what you do, and want to stay in business? Why not show your patrons that you appreciate them as customers, let's see, how about a freebie once in awhile, say a free trim, color or even a whole hair-do. You know the saying, "you have to spend money to make money." Sometimes, time will work just as well, and it won't cost you anything, but it might foster goodwill, and retain a good customer. You might also gain new customers, you know how good word of mouth is.
   

I could go on and on because there's lots more situations that could be occasions to show someone that you care.  However, it would almost take a book to enumerate each situation, so I'll just let the reader use their imagination. In your comments, if you can think of any significant ones, please don't hesitate to leave them.

So I say, in whatever situation you find yourself, show someone that you care, care that they are there, care that you they are who they are, care that they do what they do, just in general show someone that you care.