One of the best scenes in the movie version of the musical Chicago is when John C. Reilly sings Mr Cellophane. His portrayal of the unseen Amos hit a chord in my heart and made me think of all the people in the world who feel as though nobody notices them. That song has been playing in my head of late as I consider the many folks trying to get our attention so that we might understand the difficulties of their lives.
I have written about the hard working parents of many of the students that I have taught. They were quiet unassuming folk who never made waves or asked for any favors. They quietly and politely sent their children to school while they worked at low paying and demanding jobs. I always wondered if they were being adequately thanked for the tasks that they were willing to do out of love for their families.
In particular I often wonder about the family members of one of my students who worked at night cleaning buildings while the rest of us were sleeping. They often held down day jobs as well with little free time to rest and just enjoy the fruits of their labors. Did they got kudos for doing a good job? Did anyone leave them a thank you note or remember them at Christmas time?
Each time I go to the Methodist Hospital facilities I marvel at the cleanliness of the place. I always hear compliments of the doctors and nurses which is as it should be, but what about that lady mopping the hallways, cleaning up vomit, changing the bed linens and making everything sanitary and picture perfect. Does anyone ever stop in the hallway to thank such people for making the place so nice?
A couple of years back a woman came into my husband’s hospital room. She was as quiet as a mouse as she cleaned the toilet, mopped the floors, tidied things up. I actually startled her when I thanked her profusely for her hard work. I told her how much it meant to me and my husband to be so well cared for by her. She smiled and became quite animated. She noticed the comfortable shoes that I was wearing and asked what kind they were and where I had found them. I showed her how to procure them online. She was excited when I told her that I have trouble with my feet but wear them all day with no problem. You would have thought we were old friends with all the smiles and laughter that ensued while she finished her tasks. She left the room almost radiant and all that it took to get her there was for me to take note of her work.
As a teacher I was obviously not working to get rich. My treasure came in knowing that I had sparked a moment of discovery in a student or helped someone to feel good about himself. The job itself was the reward but in those moments when a principal or colleague or parent or student acknowledged my impact that I felt the greatest joy.
We humans get busy and take each other for granted when it does not take that much to let people know that we do indeed see them and what they are doing. It takes only a matter of seconds to smile at others, say thank you, hold open a door, compliment their actions or even their appearance. The person who thinks to do such things lets those around him/her know that they are important.
Of course we want to tell that nurse how much we appreciate her. We should let the doctor who healed us know that he is now one of our heroes. We should exert the same effort in showing gratitude for the person who helps us find where the ketchup is stored in a crowed store. We should make it a point to really see the people around us and to let them know how much we appreciate them.
This past school year I tutored a young student in math all year long. He was a shy young man who only reluctantly came out of his shell. I learned that he had been bullied at school the year before and the experience had traumatized him to the point of affecting his performance in his classes. When I first met him he was reluctant to answer questions lest he be wrong. His anxiety was palatable and I realized that more than anything he needed to believe in himself and his worth as a person. We did a lot of math but even more rebuilding of his confidence. By the end of the year he was laughing and smiling and had become whole again. The work of helping him to believe in himself was not mine alone but a whole team of wonderful people who understood the human need for acknowledgment.
Find a way each day to make sure that the Amoses of the world do not feel like cellophane. Do your part in making someone’s day brighter. It will not only help them but you will feel better as well.
All It Takes Is A Little Love 