I don’t know the origin of this particular homework assignment, but a few weeks ago my eldest came home with one that was pretty interesting. I am still thinking about it.
Using materials around the house she had to make four ribbons and label them with a particular phrase:
Her task was this:
- 1) Give two ribbons to two different people and
- 2) tell each person how they make a difference in her life.
- 3) Then, the recipient was told to take their extra ribbon and give it to someone who makes a difference in their lives.
- 4) This little trail had to be tracked and summarized in a written report.
The eldest gave Mark and I the two ribbons. I gave my second ribbon to our youngest, and he gave one to his co-worker. I gather she was surprised by this unexpected gift. :)
It’s a pretty neat assignment, don’t you think?
How often do we tell the people in our lives that they are appreciated? Any why does it take an occasion – like Christmas or a birthday or Mother’s Day or a homework assignment – for us to remember that the simple act of appreciation is so important?
When it comes down to it, isn’t this the very core of what we all want? To be loved and valued? Why is it so hard to express this appreciation sometimes? And why are those golden words of appreciation sometimes so hard to accept?
