You Matter Moment of the Week
“I participate because I believe all life matters and some folks do not hear those words – sometimes ever. It’s important as a society that we find ways to build each other up, and You Matter cards have the potential to impact strangers in ways we may never truly know.
I was in the waiting room of my doctor’s office, a little bit crabby because my doctor was running behind and my mind was wandering. I overheard a man from behind me talking to the receptionist. His ride had left and this man’s wallet was still in the car. He was trying to find a way to pay his $5 copay without his wallet. I looked in my purse and saw the corner of a $5 poking out of all my purse clutter.
I walked over to the man and put the $5 bill on the counter in front of him. Needless to say he was shocked and maybe a bit embarrassed. He was struggling for words, saying ‘I don’t want to be THAT guy’ and ‘really, you don’t need to do this.’ I smiled behind my face mask and said ‘some time you will have the opportunity to pay it forward. It is such an amazing feeling. I think I am the winner in this situation.’ He was saying that he would pay it forward for sure and other random comments until he asked me the golden question: ‘Do you have a business card?’ I replied, ‘I do not have a business card, but I do have this’ as I handed him a You Matter card.
His eyes started to fill with tears as he read the words and held the card to his heart. He told me no one had ever said that to him before. As I felt my heart break a little, I looked him straight in the eyes and said, ‘You DO matter, do not ever forget that.’ He held that card tight and said, ‘now this, this I will keep forever, you have no idea.’ The lesson I learned from this encounter was that $5 got him through the moment, a You Matter card just might get him through a lifetime.
I attended a residential week long art workshop in July 2021 and gave the participants a YOU MATTER card on the last day. They were most appreciative and happy to receive them. Then 7 months later (February 2022) I got an email from one of the ladies expressing thanks for the card. She told me she has it taped to her computer desk. She said it has been ‘a source of strength and healing’ and thanked me again for giving it to her. She said ‘Two words incredibly powerful and something we desperately need to hear sometimes.’ So a small act of kindness….not so small. I was very happy to receive this email as you can imagine. I love sharing these cards with others, it makes my day and I continue to spread the YOU MATTER magic most days. I will never stop sharing these cards as I know the impacts are far reaching.”
-Elizabeth
What You Can Do
You never know how much a simple gesture can mean. Join me in building a kinder, more compassionate world. Here’s how:
- Sign up for the You Matter Marathon today to receive your first 10 cards for free!
- We love hearing your You Matter stories – submit your story on our website.
- Help us continue to share the You Matter magic and donate today.
Cheryl Rice, Founder
https://youmattermarathon.org/
