Friday, May 6, 2011

2 4 6 8, Who Do We Appreciate?

It was Teacher Appreciation Week this past week!


Yep, and to show how much I appreciate my kiddo’s teachers I made a homemade chocolate chip cheesecake for a luncheon we had for them at the school. I even cut some flowers from my—er, my neighbor’s-- lilac bush, so my kiddo could bring them in for her teacher too. (I’m really thoughtful that way)

So yes, I really do appreciate my kiddo’s teachers. They weren’t getting store-bought cheesecake from me! In fact, I appreciate ALL teachers.

But, uh, that being said…

When I was working as a pharmacist I never had Pharmacist Appreciation Week. Although someone did just tell me we have an appreciation DAY. (Jan. 12) Huh. None of the patients I saw seemed to know that. I would have even settled for a short Thank You note from a customer thanking me for working 14 hours a day with no lunch or dinner breaks (and barely a bathroom break), dispensing the correct medication, and not killing them.

I’m sure it was on their “to do” list somewhere.

So let me just say now…

You’re welcome. And I’m really glad you’re not dead.


And what about authors too? (Can’t forget them)

Do they get an Appreciation Week thanking them for all the hours upon hours that they spend crammed up against some computer somewhere, unshowered and in yoga pants muttering to themselves just so we the reader can get a few hours of entertainment?

No. Apparently authors only get a DAY for that too. (Nov 1st)

The list could on.

This has all made me think long and hard about people I've taken for granted.

So allow me to now hold high on a pedestal and appreciate some people who might have been overlooked in my life. After all, everyone deserves a little recognition:

Thank you to everyone who has has ever worked with me and my slight case of self-diagnosed OCD. I know. You know. Thank you.

Thank you to my thyroid surgeon. He could have given me one nasty Frankenstein scar right across the throat. Instead, I have a little bitty one that only I notice. (in certain lights)

Thank you to Tony Horton of P90x. Thanks to Mr. Bring It I actually look forward to exercising and most days I actually do "bring it".

Thank you to the garbage men in my area. You always manage to keep my trashcans tightly together after emptying them. Wow. That little extra yard effort is so very appreciated.

Thank you to every waitress or waiter who has ever served us while we were eating with my father-in-law. He can be tough and a jokester too. You deserve every penny of that tip we give you.

And lastly, since Mother’s Day is in a few days, I can’t forget to appreciate Mom.
Thanks for giving me life and putting up with me (especially during those trying teenage years!) and when I forget to call.



If you're a mother, have a Happy Mother's Day!



Did you know it was Teacher Appreciation Week? Anyone else you want to appreciate?

26 comments:

Rosalind Adam said...

As an ex-teacher I would have appreciated being appreciated for a week but I can't recall ever really being appreciated.

I agree that there are so many more people in our lives who we should appreciate just as much (or maybe even more) than our teachers.

I agree with your list and would like to add friends. I really appreciate all my friends, and that includes blogging friends too.

Karen Baldwin said...

I appreciate you! And your thoughtful comments on my blog. Thank you. Great post, and have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Jessica R. Patch said...

I had no idea. Guess, I'm going to the store for a late gift. Typical. I'd like to the thank the checkers at the grocery store who have to listen to sniveling drones whine about prices as if they checkers have control over it and then verbally beat them about hurrying up or not taking their coupons. I try to be nice to them and I forget coupons, so they love me.

Sarita Leone said...

I bet your cake and flowers were very much appreciated!

Great post. You're so right, there are lots of people who don't get even close to the amount of appreciation they deserve.

One person who comes right to mind is our postmistress. When my husband was sick she actually sanitized our mail so we wouldn't bring any germs near him. She sorted it and bagged it, sending the urgent stuff to the hospital. I don't know how we would have managed without her help. Thanks to Sue, a dear friend and a professional who went above and beyond.

And thanks to you, for writing such a heartwarming post!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Hey, Happy Mother's Day to you!

I've got that Japenese sounding name thyroid disease. I can never spell it right, so I won't even try.

And I say we drum up our own author appreciation week (or at least day). Kick that thing into gear.
~ Wendy

Mary Aalgaard said...

Happy Mom's Day. I appreciate you!

Rula Sinara said...

You made me laugh out loud about pharmacy and uuthor day :). Our school is very organized about Teacher Appreciation Week, so there's a lot going on.

Happy Mother's Day! (And belated Pharmacist Day ;))

Anne Gallagher said...

We do have teacher appreciation week. I'm late with their gifts as usual.

I think with writers, with every letter they receive from a reader that says how much they loved the book, that should count as appreciation. I know when I get my first one, I'm going to frame it like a dollar bill.

Kerry Ann @Vinobaby's Voice said...

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake--the teachers must LOVE you! I didn't even know it was Teacher Appreciation Week (even though I adore my son's teacher). I should be sent to Parent Detention.

Linda Kage said...

Wow, there must be a day or week to appreciate just about everyone!

Kelly Polark said...

I sent some Fannie May for the teachers. Usually I do something better, but I'm so busy this week! (I did give them awesome Christmas gifts - gift cards and books - so I'm good. :) But as an ex teacher, my favorite appreciation gifts were actual letters from kids or parents listing why they appreciated me. Seriously. That's why most are in that vocation: to make a difference.
Enjoy Mother's Day weekend!

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Jennifer, what a great list to appreciate. I wonder if it was Teacher's Appreciation week in Canada? Because I sure didn't know if it was.

Happy Mother's Day, Jennifer!

Bossy Betty said...

I didn't know it was Teacher Appreciation Week and I am a teacher. Oh Oh.

Stephanie Faris said...

I'm not a mom, teacher, or administrative professional, so I don't get an appreciation day. How about one for tech support people? The people who fix everyone's computers??? Maybe a lot of people don't want to appreciate their I.T. people...I've heard some nightmare stories about rude help desk people.

Linda G. said...

I appreciate people who appreciate others. So, Happy Appreciators Day! :)

Carol Kilgore said...

"homemade chocolate chip cheesecake" ... I wanna be your kiddo's teacher!

Lovely post.

Halli Gomez said...

I try to be appreciative as well. My kids sent flowers, homemade cards, and Borders gift cards to school this week.

People do forget the other people that help them in life. Thanks for the reminder!

Suze said...

Happy Mother's day to you, too. And I didn't know authors had a day. Nice.

Sheila Siler said...

You are appreciated! Check out my Friday post and pick up your award.

Terri Tiffany said...

Ok. I love my pharmacists because they know my name and always are sweet. I hope somehow they know I appreciate them:))
Happy Mother's Day!

Shadonna Richards (USA Today Bestselling Author) said...

Great post, Jennifer! Happy Mother's Day to you, too!

Tracy Loewer said...

Great post! I'm always appreciative of excellent teachers. They work so hard for our kids, and I try to help out as much as I can during the school year.

Southpaw said...

Yes, yes, thank you to all the people who help us everyday.

Karen Lange said...

Happy Mother's Day to you too! And thank you for reminding me to be thankful for our unsung heroes. :)
Have a great weekend,
Karen

Craig Edwards said...

I had so many great teachers - and I still appreciate them all the time! Thanks for the post! Cheers!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

authors have a whole day??? That's more than I expected ;)