Gift of kind words

Posted: December 15, 2011

We have two winners in the Special Gift contest – moppie for the heartwarming tale of a father’s sensitive love during his daughter’s first Christmas as an awkward teenager and brian5beth for the story of a thoughtful daughter’s gift of stone, history and love. I will send copies of my new CD A Midnight Clear – Christmas in Mitford to the winners. I loved all of the stories. Thank you for sharing.

Today’s topic: the gift of kind words. What is the nicest thing you have ever said to someone? What is the nicest thing someone has said to you? This topic came to me last week after I received an extremely thoughtful note from a man who saw me in a restaurant. Buddy Howard’s message came at a good time as I was smarting from a blog comment about how I had been rude to someone. By the way I tried to apologize to that person who wrote the comment but I never got a response. Anyway, here is the email I received that made me smile. May we all smile with the stories you share. I’ll give a musical prize to the person with the best story.

“I think you are such an impressive individual, and you remind me a lot of John Tesh. Just finished listening to some of your music. My wife and I sat at a table next to you several months back at Irregardless and I nodded as we left, but now I regret I did not tell you what a great man I think you are.

Sometimes, I think the most notable thing we can do in a day is to tell someone something nice.

For me, today, you are that person. And you make it awfully easy to say something nice about.

I hope you have a great day today Bill. Keep writing, keep loving life. “ Buddy Howard

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6 Comments

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I remember a time when the simplest thing you can say was the nicest thing anyone could say. My husband and I had just moved to Iowa in the middle of January with a two week old baby. In case you've never been to Iowa in January, it's awfully cold and when you have a tiny baby, you just don't get out much. We went to church once but then I stayed home with the baby for a few weeks because of all the colds. When I went back I was feeling really alone because I hadn't been able to meet very many people and spent all day with a baby and a 4 year old at home. I was walking down the hall that day when a very nice lady I had met the first time we attended smiled at me and said "Hello, Cyndi." She just said hello but she remembered my name and it meant the world to me. We did in fact become good friends and even though we live here in North Carolina and she lives in the Rocky Mountains she is still a dear friend.

carolina buckeye
December 15, 2011 5:45 p.m.

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One of the most memorable gift of words came from my brother after my husband died last year. Working hard to get my company to market and being a mum is the guilt trip of a lot of parents. He told my children:

“If you ever need a point of reference for someone who gets up every single time she is knocked down; to do her best for all of those around her, but especially her children? For someone with the work ethic, look no further than your mother.”

I have never forgotten it.

I believe in the power of gifting words so much that I founded a company called 'The Gift of Words'. My company advocates that we gift words to each other in the marketplace in a more profound way and as legitimately as we gift, say, flowers, chocolate or jewellery. (http://thegiftofwords.co.uk).

In the meantime, it was a tonic reading this post today. Melinda

mel2
December 16, 2011 1:57 a.m.

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You've heard the expression, "it takes one to know one." Well, I know Buddy Howard and, let me tell you, he is a fine person as well. He is always upbeat and friendly and I admire him. Thanks, Bill, for sharing Buddy's comments!!!

blytle
December 16, 2011 7:49 a.m.

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Nicest thing anyone ever said to me was "you're a lot like your dad"... That was the ultimate compliment for me.

nc_jcnumber5
December 16, 2011 10:22 a.m.

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As for feeling bad about possibly being rude to someone on your blog, I know enough about you Bill, that if it was taken that way, it probably wasn't meant that way. At the end of the day, it's tough sometimes to realize you can't please everyone all the time. Like you, I'm the kind of person who generally gets along with just about everyone. However, I used to be a manager in a company and there was one employee I had who just did not like me. I never figured out why, but just finally had to let it go, as I did everything in my power to change the situation and never could. Some things are just out of our control. Happy Holidays.

nc_jcnumber5
December 16, 2011 10:29 a.m.

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The kindest thing said to me is when someone says "God Bless Your Son", he is a Marine.

wahaka63
December 16, 2011 12:04 p.m.

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