“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” - Lao Tzu
Bahrain - One afternoon, after school, the children came to me and gave me a present.
PP : “ Hey Ms. Aileen, a gift from Daddy! ”
Me : “Wow, thank you."
P : "Open it. "
Me: "Okay, I will."
P: "Do you like it?"
Me: “Yes, very much. Please tell your Daddy that I’m so happy. Thank you!”
P: "Pleasure. Okay. Bye."
I'm sure the kids saw the stars in my eyes when I opened the beautifully wrapped box. I was thrilled to bits not only because it was my first Apple Ipod but because it was given by no less than Michael Jackson himself ! How cool was that!
Dear Ms. Aileen, Thank you for teaching my children. Love, Michael Jackson.
I was in raptures upon reading the message.
Mr. Jackson had his own way of making other people feel valued.He never ran out of surprises. In simple words, he was so thoughtful.
(Those were just the first two among the countless presents he gave me.)
He was a GIVER. He liked to make people happy. He found joy in giving.
There were times in the past when he would call not because he needed something but because he wanted to tell you how he felt. This phone conversation will never be forgotten:
Mr. Jackson : “ Ms. Aileen, I want you to know that you’re doing a great job."
Me: "Thank you so much."
Mr. Jackson : "Thank you for taking care of my children."
Me: "It's my pleasure taking care of them. They are lovely."
Mr Jackson: "Keep up the good work and again thank you for being you."
Me: "( with a lump in my throat) I will. Thank you so much Mr. Jackson."
You bet! I was full of the joys of spring at that moment. I didn't see that coming. It was totally a bolt from the blue and those flattering remarks were just music to my ears. Something that no amount of money could ever buy. I felt appreciated and recognized.
If you have a boss like him , what more could you ask?
There are people who are meant to stay in our lives. Some are just to stay temporarily. But even though some are gone, they remain in our hearts forever.
Mr. Jackson, the memory of who you were — an amazing, giving, compassionate human being — will inspire me for the rest of my life.
Shukran Jazeelan Mr. Jackson.
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