Thank you

Observed closely, small moments have a large impact...

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. ~Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

Deb and I spend several days a week together. Usually our days involve therapy and then running a few errands and lunch. Unless you know Debbie, most people are unaware of her story and all she's been through. Most people don't know she has a brain injury, sometimes that includes Deb.

She doesn't use the handicap bathroom or think herself different from anyone else. But there are those little things, subtle things that Debbie does that only her caregivers would notice.

Recently on a stop at Panera Bread for lunch, Deb ran into a Buckeye friend and they spoke briefly. A meeting like many I'm sure that occur during their lunch hour at Panera. But what happened after this is what struck my heart...

Deb and I both got our meals and the small water cups that Panera gives when you don't order a drink. When we finished and were getting ready to leave Deb took her small glass and filled it with Acai Berry tea. As I looked up to see her filling it, next to her was a member of the Panera lunch crew. She smiled at Deb as she filled the glass. She then asked if she wanted a lid for the glass, and unable to find one got Debbie a bigger glass, had her fill it up and helped her with the lid.

A fellow who does things that count, doesn't usually stop to count them

Instead of calling Debbie out, telling her of the wrong she was doing, she was sweet, nice and helpful to Debbie and I just watched at the sidelines in awe...

She didn't know Deb had a brain injury, but still treated her with kindness, and Deb as she always does joked with the woman when she brought her out the larger cup. It was a great display of sweetness that I will never forget. 

Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns. ~Author Unknown

Even later that day when we shared our day with Gordon, Deb didn't remember who it was she saw from Buckeye, but I will never forget the sweet woman that made her feel special that worked at Panera Bread.

Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you — not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown

I returned to Panera to thank the woman at a later time, she had no idea that Deb had brain injury, but was a grateful and compassionate person. And it was a welcome light I needed to shine my way.