2008 Woodie Awards
Column: Displaying gratitude
Katie Anderson/Columnist
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: Opinions
On the last day of first grade, my teacher, Mrs. Hoff, gave an award to each class member.
I remember sitting in my desk, listening as my friends had their names called.
Jason was most artistic.
Sarah won "sweetest."
Christina received most helpful.
What else could there be for me? And then she called it - the polite award.
I accepted the paper award with a forced smile and a "thank you" (of course), and returned to my seat to stare at my award.
What a waste!
The polite award?
As a 7 year-old, I was confused and disappointed.
I had gotten an award for something everybody should do, for something I thought was basic and not award-worthy.
The teacher had clearly been tapped out of her creative juices by the time she had gotten to me.
Thinking back now 15 years later, enjoying my last days of college, I probably should call Mrs. Hoff and thank her.
By giving me the polite award, she reinforced a budding part of me that is still developing today.
Mrs. Hoff helped nurture the seed in me, which would develop into the ability to feel and display genuine gratitude.
Being polite is still important, and in my opinion, more people could do with saying a few more "pleases" and "thank you's" but gratitude is more than saying "thank you."
Gratitude is a warm feeling. It acknowledges a deed or thought.
Gratitude involves recognizing the importance of that specific deed or thought and takes into consideration the effort behind it.
Countless times during my four years at Eastern, this feeling has overwhelmed me.
Like when my teammates on the rugby team took care of the scared little freshman "from up north."
Or when the doctors at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and Carle Clinic in Champaign saved my life my sophomore year.
And when the journalism department helped me pay for school so I could continue to pursue my new love for journalism.
When my roommate encouraged me to be a better me every day.
When my senior seminar class showed up ready to debate and seriously participate in every class discussion this year.
Some may say a "thank you" is not in order for a doctor who cures a patient, a student who shows up ready for class or a teammate who nurtures the newbie on the team.
They may say these are things everyone should do. "Thank yous" are not necessary for basic fulfillment of roles.
It would be easy to take all of these small parts of my education and life for granted.
Still, I just can't not say it.
Thank you.
Thank you because what you, my campus, my department and my friends, have done for me these past four years has had an effect on me in a profound way.
Katie Anderson is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
I remember sitting in my desk, listening as my friends had their names called.
Jason was most artistic.
Sarah won "sweetest."
Christina received most helpful.
What else could there be for me? And then she called it - the polite award.
I accepted the paper award with a forced smile and a "thank you" (of course), and returned to my seat to stare at my award.
What a waste!
The polite award?
As a 7 year-old, I was confused and disappointed.
I had gotten an award for something everybody should do, for something I thought was basic and not award-worthy.
The teacher had clearly been tapped out of her creative juices by the time she had gotten to me.
Thinking back now 15 years later, enjoying my last days of college, I probably should call Mrs. Hoff and thank her.
By giving me the polite award, she reinforced a budding part of me that is still developing today.
Mrs. Hoff helped nurture the seed in me, which would develop into the ability to feel and display genuine gratitude.
Being polite is still important, and in my opinion, more people could do with saying a few more "pleases" and "thank you's" but gratitude is more than saying "thank you."
Gratitude is a warm feeling. It acknowledges a deed or thought.
Gratitude involves recognizing the importance of that specific deed or thought and takes into consideration the effort behind it.
Countless times during my four years at Eastern, this feeling has overwhelmed me.
Like when my teammates on the rugby team took care of the scared little freshman "from up north."
Or when the doctors at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and Carle Clinic in Champaign saved my life my sophomore year.
And when the journalism department helped me pay for school so I could continue to pursue my new love for journalism.
When my roommate encouraged me to be a better me every day.
When my senior seminar class showed up ready to debate and seriously participate in every class discussion this year.
Some may say a "thank you" is not in order for a doctor who cures a patient, a student who shows up ready for class or a teammate who nurtures the newbie on the team.
They may say these are things everyone should do. "Thank yous" are not necessary for basic fulfillment of roles.
It would be easy to take all of these small parts of my education and life for granted.
Still, I just can't not say it.
Thank you.
Thank you because what you, my campus, my department and my friends, have done for me these past four years has had an effect on me in a profound way.
Katie Anderson is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Maggie
posted 5/01/08 @ 4:52 PM CST
Great another warm and fuzzy column that pertains to no one but the author. Fantastic. I am so glad I wasted time reading this.
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