The Joy of Being Appreciated

My middle school daughter discovered this week that students in our town ride the bus for free. 

My daughter has a major meticulous streak in her. I was fascinated and mildly amused to watch her study the lines of the bus map with abandon. 

I could feel her energy: suddenly her world was opening up. Her circle of travel became immense, now unrestrained by how far she could walk, or ride her bike, or her argumentative capabilities to convince her parents to drive her. I could see it in her entire body. She was almost shivering with excitement.

After she had mapped her route to get to the climbing gym in the next town over, she recruited a couple friends to get in on her plan. She was on fire as she wound down from her burst of energy that Friday night.

She didn't ask for anything, except that her mom wake her in time so she could walk to the bus station to meet her girlfriends on Saturday morning in time to catch the first bus over to her destination.

While my wife and I enjoyed our second cups of coffee this morning, our daughter meandered into the room, shoulders hung down and hair still all a tussle.

"You didn't wake me," she said sleepily.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I totally forgot," my wife replied. Glancing at the clock she said, "You still have plenty of time."

Determined to get proceed with her plan, she kicked into gear got dressed. But now she was stressed. Rushing. Concerned she'd miss the window on her newly discovered gates to freedom. 

She came back into the room quietly, and gently asked "Dad, can you drive me to the bus station."

Of course I would. I'm glad she asked. 

She relaxed instantly. I went to grab my keys.

On the way over, she thanked me at least half a dozen times. Like she couldn't stop. She was so incredibly appreciative. I was touched. She had asked for help, gotten it, and was so grateful for it. She even apologized for saying thank you so much. "I know I keep saying it Dad, but thank you."

There's magic in those words. My day is changed. I'll carry her expression of gratitude with me all day. I'll look forward to hearing about her trip. Heck, maybe she'll even call me for a ride home. And I will gladly agree. 

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