She worked at a very upscale salon in Long Island, New York and she offered to do my hair for the wedding. I was supposed to meet her at the salon at 8:00 a.m. the day of. It had been a long night. My feelings had been so hurt the night before. The hurt brought tears ... a lot of tears. Long night, puffy eyes, heavy heart. Memories of my dad came with the dawn and a longing ache for him joined the hurtful pain from the night before. Buckets of tears poured from my eyes. I wanted him to be at the wedding. He would be so proud.
I entered the salon wrapped in heaviness, eyes swollen, with a forced smile. She assigned me to a chair and began to do my hair. We didn't talk much. I rested while she pampered me. Two hours passed, I rose to leave and she asked if I wanted my make up done as well. I nodded.
She directed me to Michelle who began her magic. She rummaged her bag of tricks, swept her brush across her artist palate, began to stroke my face applying a mask hiding sorrow beneath shadows of color.
It was just what I needed. It was a gift. She would not let me pay the price. It was a gift, from her, from the Lord. He knew. He knew.
I wrote "Thank You" on my whiteboard (magnetically held to my fridge) at home so that I would not forget to thank her.
I wrote a note to her Sunday, two days ago, complete with photos from the wedding.
Thank you.
What stirs a heart to say 'thank you'?
I wrote about Lydia on my last post. She had written a special note to me to tell me thank you.
Yesterday a friend called me during her prayer time to thank me for being me. Thankfulness was overflowing her prayers and she decided to call and let me know that she had mentioned my name when listing her reasons for gratefulness.
This morning Scotty rose early. A while later I stumbled into the family room, eyes half open to find him at the computer. He was typing a letter that began, "Cheri, thank you ........" The sweetest words followed, precious words that I will keep in my heart and treasure.
Three days in a row 'thank yous' have come.
Their thank yous have stirred my heart to say 'thank you' to the One from whom all blessings flow. I am overwhelmed with gratefulness. The Lord has put such good people in my life. He has poured, poured, and poured good things into my life. He has given me above and beyond what I could ever ask or think. Thank you, Lord.
'Thank You' remains scribbled across the top of my whiteboard as if it were the title for my week. Perhaps it should be the title of my life.
Now I would like to say that I am thankful for you, you the one who is reading this post. You are on my list of reasons to be grateful this morning. Thank you for being you in my life. Today I will remember to tell the Lord how special you are to me!
"Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamation of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart." Philippians 1:1-2 The Message
Gratefully yours,
Cheri
4 comments:
Oh, how beautiful my friend...and then for me to receive the blessing of your thank you.
I had a hairdresser who did the same for me during the darkest days of dad's illness. She said she couldn't make a meal, she couldn't come and do my housework, but she could offer me her talents free of charge. How she blessed my heart. Of course I cried...she cried...we hugged...and I met Jesus again in a hairdressing salon.
Thank you Cheri for being such a treasured friend to me. I will never forget back in March when dad was at his weakest how you shared how you longed to hop on a plane and come offer your friendship in a visit and a hug. Although that wasn't possible, the thought touched me deeply. Thank you again for journeying in prayer by my side.
Hugs,
Joy
And my thank you is far over due...
I've been looking for just the right way to thank you for your thoughtfulness this summer. The music and message you sent me from SheSpeaks meant so much to me. And now, here it is November!
sometimes a kindness means so much that it seems thank yous are not worthy enough. But here is to let you know...you have been on my mind and I am still looking for that special way to say how much you blessed me (and bless me) with your gifts.
love you, lady!
What a sweet post, Cheri. What a wonderful gift from God and the makeup lady. I can only imagine how that relaxed your soul physically and spiritually. What a sweet hubby you have.
We cannot be grateful enough. We cannot thank the Lord enough for all He has done and will do.
I truly felt like you were speaking to me when you began: "Now I would like to say that I am thankful for you, you the one who is reading this post."
Beautiful, Cheri. Thank you for bringing my heart to a place of gratefulness.
I'm so excited that you're headed to India. My trip was years ago--the summer before 9/11. I'd love to go back. God did so much in my heart and taught me innumberable lessons. I know for a fact that I received more from that trip than I gave.
I can't wait to read about your upcoming trip on your blog!
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