Each of us has been blessed with special qualities that help us as we navigate through life. Since we don't come into the world with an instruction manual, we tend to go about our lives more or less unaware of our special gifts. It's just how it works.
So as we go about our lives, these qualities simply become a part of who we are. And while we may be unaware of anything special, they are recognized by others, playing out in the most amazing of ways.
After an illness, my dad was placed into a rehab facility for a month and he was not a happy camper. Since attitude has so much to do with recovery, his outlook was a bit grim. But there was someone there who made all the difference, her name is Annie. She has a special quality, that of an inner contentment, and it has a way of finding its way into everything she does. By the end of the month, he had changed. Annie had given my dad the gift of a new attitude.
Are such miracles coincidence? We'll never know for sure, but we do know that what seemed like dark times ahead for my dad turned instead to that of a new outlook, one of hope. Hope is a wonderful thing, and should never be underestimated. Later that year, we were invited to meet up at a local restaurant. Since we'd already had dinner, I declined. When realizing that Annie and her family would be there, he quickly motioned to me by nodding his head. He wanted to go, so we did. The warmth and friendship felt that evening remains.
We all have gifts, but seldom take notice of them. Some are outward in appearance, while others are found deep within. Special qualities like Annie's are more often than not are the ones most rare and cherished.
Annie, Penny, Courtney &
my dad
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