The Power of "Thank You"

On my first day of sixth grade, someone told me, “You’re the only person that has said that to me today.” You might be confused by what I just said, but I promise, you will soon understand. I didn’t realize the weight of those words at the time, but looking back, I understand how much they impacted my life. Amanda taught me kindness in a way I've never known, and for her, I am endlessly grateful.

I met Amanda on my first day of sixth grade. I was sitting in the lunchroom, very happy to be with my new friends. In my peripheral, I saw a woman cleaning up the cafeteria, but I didn’t think too much of it. When she came over to my area to clean, I thanked her. Just a simple, two-word phrase that I had been saying all my life. The woman looked taken aback and stopped cleaning. Amanda then said those words to me that I will never forget, “You’re the only person that has said that to me today”. I was shocked. How could I be the only one who thanked her that day in a school of six hundred people? From then on, I made it my mission to thank Amanda every day.

The first week started with exchanging smiles, and I nervously muttered thank you. I’m a very awkward person at first. But after that week, we began to have conversations and learn more about each other. She told me about her oldest son, who is very good at chess, and anything she might have done over the weekend. In turn, I told her about my day and what I had done over the weekend. Throughout the year, I connected with Amanda in ways that I had never known with an adult outside my family.

Seventh grade flew by, and our friendship was stronger than ever. I had made it my routine to get my food, sit down at my table, and then approach Amanda to have a nice conversation with her. It was a routine I never thought I’d have to break. As the end of seventh grade approached, Amanda told me devastating news. She wouldn’t be coming back the next year. I refused to accept her leaving. I didn’t understand how I could lose someone so dear to my heart. But as all good things come to an end, it was the last day of school. I did my usual routine; I walked into the lunchroom, got my food, sat down with my friends, and then went to talk to Amanda. The reality that she would be gone set in, and I started to tear up. We had one final conversation, and I told her how grateful I was for her.

Amanda taught me kindness in a different form, and she opened my eyes to things I couldn’t dream of experiencing. For this, I am so grateful for the lessons and memories she gave me. The actuality that I might never see Amanda again has hit me. Maybe a miracle will occur, like encountering her randomly at a store in ten years. But chances are, she’ll be a fragment missing from my life forever. The gratitude I have for this amazing woman will never waver, and for her, I’d do anything.