You Matter Moment of the Week
“I need to hand out You Matter Cards. I need to let people know how much they matter. I have had the feelings of not feeling validated or that I mattered before, and it’s so painful. I don’t want anyone to feel they don’t matter. The experience I had yesterday with the unhoused woman proved to me how important the You Matter cards are. It made such a huge difference in her day, and hopefully, her life.
I have been making Blessing Bags for unhoused individuals filled with soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, a razor, some snacks, socks and a couple bottles of water. I was stopped in traffic yesterday when an elderly lady, obviously unhoused, very thin and fragile looking with no shoes on approached my car. I gave her the Blessing Bag and then handed her the You Matter Card. She burst into tears and started sobbing. I pulled over, got out of my car and asked her if I could give her a hug. She said she would really like that, and she also said that the You Matter Card meant more to her than all the things in the Blessing Bag.
She told me she didn’t feel like she mattered to anyone. I hugged her tight and let her cry on my shoulder. I asked her what size shoes she wore and promised to be back within an hour. I bought her a pair of tennis shoes and a few pairs of socks. She cried again when I showed up and said she didn’t really think I was coming back. I saw her again today, and she smiled real big when I handed her a bag from a fast-food restaurant. She asked me again if she really mattered! I told her ‘Yes, my friend! You DO matter! And don’t you ever forget that!’
Sharing the You Matter cards has become an important part of my life. I hand them out in the grocery store, in a restaurant and to people I meet in the gas station. I know how good it makes me feel when I give someone a card. I am thankful for the You Matter Marathon!”
-Maryann R.
Winter Park, FL
What You Can Do
It only takes one person, one simple act of kindness, to make someone’s day better. Everyone in every walk of life needs to hear our message! Whether you’ve handed out 1 card or 100, you’ve made a positive impact in someone else’s life – and likely yours too!
-
- Sign up for You Matter Marathon today to receive 10 free cards.
- Running low on cards? That is a great problem to have, and we have your solution. Buy more cards today! You can also print more cards using our online template.
- If you have a memorable You Matter Marathon story that you would like to share, we would love to read it! You can submit your story on our website.
Cheryl Rice, Founder
https://youmattermarathon.org/
Join our Facebook group to connect with other YuMMies!