I once held on to an overdue library book so long, that the fines exceeded the price to replace the book. The librarian forgave the fine completely. She was thankful to have the book back. This was years ago, and I remember it still.
Are "thank yous" like borrowed books? If you withhold them indefinitely, do they maintain their full value? What are the fines for keeping them to yourself, and will you be forgiven when you finally relinquish them?
Bullying is much in the news, lately. Life is not a Disney Channel movie plot in which the bullied overcome embarrassment and public humiliation to win the respect of the popular crowd and attend prom with the star quarterback or beauty queen. Most of the time, I think, people are in denial. It's just a phase; it's kids being kids; it'll pass. There is no justice. Then there are those cases that turn into national tragedies.
A few years ago my daughter was bullied. In middle school, she was ostracized. She was ignored. In a small school where anonymity was impossible and the potential for new friendships limited, she reached her tipping point. She called me at work. She couldn't be there another minute. I took her home. Now what?
As I talked about the situation over lunch with my friends back at work, Cindy began to cry. Our problem touched a very raw nerve. Something none of us knew about. My brave friend Cindy revealed that her wonderful daughter had attended that same school, and that the bullying very nearly brought their family to unthinkable tragedy. Cindy's courage to share their story rescued our family. I enrolled Lindsey in a new school the next day. Anonymous, relieved, and with her life to make new, she made new friends. Everything got better.
Today, I returned an overdue thank you. I wrote a note to Cindy. I'll give it to her tomorrow.
Thank you, Cindy. Thank you, God, for Cindy.
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