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Just when you think life really sucks.............. by Mikekoz13 on 18 Dec, 2009 20:01
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......... something good just happens to snap you out of it.
I'm usually an extremely upbeat and positive guy that doesn't let things bother me. But last weekend a whole bunch of things that I had been letting slide by for months finally got to me.
IN my Family, I'm the "Fixer". The guy that literally fixes anything broken for anybody in the Family...... and the guy that fixes problems in the Family. I never ask for anything in return and very much enjoy being the "Fixer" because I get to help those that I love . All I want in return is a little respect and an occasional "Thanks".
No need for all the details but several Family members had just been flat out disrespectful to me for months and finally I had enough. It just got to me and for about three days I wasn't myself. I was grumpy, no joking and laughing, and I just wasn't myself.
On top of all that, my job has been brutal this year and my bosses have reached new levels of stupidity recently.
It was so bad that my daughter drew a picture of me with the title "Happy Daddy" across the top. When she gave it to me she told me she missed Happy Daddy..... but I just couldn't shake it.
So on Tuesday night I told my wife that I was going to wake up and be back to normal on Wednesday...... and I woke up feeling much better but just wasn't quite myself.
So I got to work and just minutes after I got there a Lady that works down stairs popped in to see. She said ,"Merry Christmas Mike. I just want you know how much it meant for me to work with you this year. You're such a good guy with great energy and I appreciate that". SHe then handed me an envelope and scooted out the door.
I opened the envelope and it was a simple Christmas card with a simple, beautiful message in it. She and her husband had signed it.
Then Thursday came and I felt pretty darn good. I headed off to work and a short time after I got there a Supervisor from a group that I do a lot of work for stopped into my cube. I know the guy very well and have worked almost exclusivelyt for him for the last three years. He's a top notch guy and I've always wondered why my oen management team couldn't be like him.
SO he plopped into a chair and said, "I just stopped by to tell you that I know that I've worked you damn near to death this year. It's been a great year for our team with a very happy customer because of the work we've done. You should be proud of your work and what you did for the team".
So I thanked him and jokingly said, "Great, so I guess you're here with a $10,000 bonus for me!".
He responded, "Well not exactly. .... but I do have this for you". And he pulled a red envelope out from his notebook and handed it to me as he said, "When I'm rewarded I know that I would not get that reward without the help of everyone that did the real work...., so I believe in sharing that reward". He then got up, shook my hand, and told me to have a great Christmas and to keep his visit between the two of us.
I opened the envelope and inside was a CHristmas card. I opened it and inside was a nice hand written note thanking me for all my hard work...... and a very crisp $100 bill. I was absolutely stunned.
The cash was nice, very nice........ but the kind words of those two cards were a gift I needed at exactly the right time
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#1 by wpruitt on 18 Dec, 2009 20:50
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What a great epiphany
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#2 by GASlick on 18 Dec, 2009 21:29
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That's awesome Mike!
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#3 by PigPen on 18 Dec, 2009 21:42
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That's awesome Koz! Don't ya love it when the simple stuff helps it all fall together?!
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#4 by andrew on 18 Dec, 2009 22:01
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Nice story Mike ... Appreciation for hard work doesn't have to cost a company a lot of money. A genuine "thank you" goes a long way. The problem is that most managers don't get that.
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#5 by Sgt. Pate on 18 Dec, 2009 22:29
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From a aspiring curmudgeon in Nevada, that's really encouraging Mike! Thank you for sharing.
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#6 by PBurke on 18 Dec, 2009 23:37
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so what are ya buying me for christmas? j/k bro. that is cool. you deserve it.
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#7 by Rob on 19 Dec, 2009 05:44
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great story Mike.
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#8 by hammerdrill376 on 19 Dec, 2009 05:50
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Awesome story brother.
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#9 by herronm on 19 Dec, 2009 07:21
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Thanks for sharing that Mike.
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#10 by schro on 19 Dec, 2009 08:05
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Drinks on Mike!
Nice story and yes, a little appreciation goes a long way. -
#11 by tomgallagher on 19 Dec, 2009 08:28
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Johnnie Walker Blue all around....LOL. Great story Mike.
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#12 by D.A.L.U.I. on 19 Dec, 2009 09:02
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Remembering to say thanks, it's a small thing but so important. Glad for you, great "unlackser", obviously well earned.
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#13 by Papa Don on 20 Dec, 2009 08:30
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Merry Christmas Mike. Since thank you's are in order, Thank you for being there for me in my down times. I really appreciate your words of encouragement during these times. It really meant a lot to me. Life is really looking up for me lately and I think your words helped me greatly. Even though we have never met, I feel a friendship that was kindered by your kindness. Thanks Again!
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#14 by Bald Kahuna on 21 Dec, 2009 21:06
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Mike: Just proof that what goes around comes around - we need more of your kind in the world. This story will help me be more appreciative of my friends and relatives. Happy Holidays to you, your family and all the SBG's who read this.