Why do I feel like one of the other 9 Samaritans that didn’t return to give thanks sometimes? Have you ever had someone do something for you and you mean to say, “Thank you” but you either forget or don’t know who or how to show it?
A few years ago, I was going through a very difficult time in my life where I thought nothing was going right and I was really caught up in the chaos of it. My teaching partner really picked up where I was failing and many times, just took over because I didn’t have the mental strength to even look at a lesson plan. All of this was done without me asking for help, He just jumped right in and knew to take over and included me in all the planning and explanation because that’s what a good person, my partner, did. I don’t remember ever properly thanking, Vince during those lessons because I was stuck in my own thoughts and feelings and didn’t consider what he had done for me those months. It wasn’t until the beginning of the next year that we taught together that I realized that I never thanked him, and I could never thank him enough for getting me through that tough year.
This Gospel reminds me that no matter how much I am blessed with the abundance of blessings that are handed down to me that I should ALWAYS be grateful. Do I say, “Thank you”? Yes, I do, however, I know that I don’t say it enough, not to my family, nor my friends and yes, not even to God. I’m ashamed to say that I do forget, but I am also humble enough to say that I can do more and be more and show my thanks more than I already have. We should all try to be more gracious to the people around us who make our lives better.
To Vince, Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I will forever be grateful for all the time and effort that you put forth during my not so great year and that you let me teach beside you with dignity even when I wasn’t feeling so good about myself. I will never forget what you did for me and I appreciate you for that.
