This week's Pep Talk Blog: "Job Well Done"

It was the early stages of a recent drive across America: 2,930 miles, four time zones, 12 states and a lifetime of memories. My two children and I are in Chicago staying with loved ones.

It’s the morning after an annual Christmas party and a “hostess with the mostest” was busy cleaning away the prior evening’s fun. I’m helping this fabulous cook with the process when she slides a hand-written card within my view.

Written by her husband’s aunt, the note thanked Mary Gans Schmitt for all she is as a loving and supportive spouse to Victor and a devoted and responsible mother to two darling children Shannon and Nolan.

Aunt Dolly, the note writer, and her sister Kay – Mary’s mother-in-law – are Kilgallon family members. This family, a half century ago, started “Cousin’s Christmas.” It’s a warm family gathering where Santa Claus - or one of his assistants – makes a surprise appearance with gifts for the younger children present. A few years ago, I had the honor of serving as Santa and wrote about the experience in Lemons into Margaritas.

Anyway, the cleaning and conversation are going well when Mary shared this loving note. I find my reading glasses and read the short message: it warmed my marrow.
Auntie Dolly had taken the time to express thanks the family’s hopes and prayers had been realized when Victor, exercising patience and intelligence, found the “right girl” in waiting to marry, Mary.

Whenever I get the privilege of giving a Pep Talk to a group, we talk a lot about teamwork being “the key to success.” Much time is spent discussing the value of working well with others for the betterment of our families, workplaces and communities. Three things about this hand-written note really resonate when speaking of teamwork: gratefulness, appreciation and acknowledgement.

Auntie Dolly went out of her way to express gratefulness and appreciation, to Mary, for a job well done. This week I encourage you to do the same. It might be for your spouse, significant other, co-worker, child, neighbor, sibling or complete stranger – it doesn’t matter.

What does matter is we never lose our sense of gratefulness and appreciation for a job well done. Write it down and give it away, okay? You never know when that sincere acknowledgement might inspire the recipient – or even you – to “carry on” in ways that continue to honor, nurture and add value to communities we serve.

We are here to encourage – give hope and confidence to – one another. Let’s never grow weary of saluting a job well done.