As I reflect back on the decade that was, a few bright and shiny faces came to mind who really made a difference in my life. Beyond the realm of my family, who are just always there and always wonderful, these people did all kinds of things to let me know that they cared. Whether they were just available when I was going through hard times or whether they were the first to congratulate me during the good times, they kept my ship sailing, they kept me up, and sometimes they even offered a well-placed, well-timed kick to the hiney.
There are a lot of motivational quotes out there about what true friends are. But I have learned, thanks to this last decade, that a lot of those flowery sayings are not really getting to the core of the matter.
The people who matter are your strength when you are running low. They are the purchasers of the champagne (or ice cream) to celebrate your victories. They don’t run away from bad times, and they don’t run away from your success.
Today, in my opinion, is a really good time to tell the people who made a difference in your life that, “Hey, you made a difference in my life.” I have let the people who fall into that category in my life know that they have impacted me in ways they might not even have realized. They made a difference. It’s a chance to be Clarence the angel from It’s A Wonderful Life.
It’s also a really good time to think about how you can be a difference maker for someone else. What better goal is there to strive for as this year and decade come to a close? It can be as simple as being around. We all can do that, can’t we?
Happy New Year to you and yours. I’ll see you next year.
Margie
You are one of the people that matter. My life has become so enriched by having talked with you. And all because of baseball.
Keep making a difference in people’s lives as we will do what we can to do the same for you.
Happy New Year and you are stuck with ME!
Get that super glue ready!!
Can’t wait for the time when we look back on 2010 and say, “Man, remember when we didn’t know each other??”
Nope. Can’t remember that at all.
Now my Cleveland Indians always will have an even more special place in my heart. As will inter-league play, since they were playing your Mets when we first started talking 🙂 Who knows what will bring people together?
Margie,
You matter to me: Your encouragement, wit and wisdom have brightened many a day of mine in 2010!
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Tristan