Abundant Gratitude

Thank You, Mr. Richardson

The Impact of Kindness

My family came to the United States when I was 14. After a year in Florida, we realized it wasn’t the right place for our family, so we moved north to the Northern Virginia area. My parents hoped that their last child in high school would be ok.

Stumbling into the expansive building on my first day, I wandered around hoping to find my way. Within the first week, a large man with a bright, smiling face greeted me, “Hi!”

Since no one else had said hi, I offered a meek hello back. Over the next three years, I spent more time in that man’s office than in any class. His name was Mr. Richardson. I never knew his first name and the yearbook never printed it, so he was always Mr. Richardson to me.

We talked about life. We talked about school. We talked and talked and talked some days. The important part of all that talking was not that we had conversations, but more about the fact that he was always available. He listened. He teased me at times. He encouraged me to dream. He often asked me what I wanted to do after high school. I didn’t know. I was just trying to get through each day.

It was a difficult three years and I think he knew it, but he never let on that I might be struggling. He just made himself available.

Mr. Richardson, I’ve thought of you often because if I was having a bad day, your big smile would make things right. I don’t know what I would have done if your office door was closed. It never was.

It has been many, many years since those days, but you don’t forget the people who prop you up. They become your village, and for a high school kid who struggled with many things, that daily grin and big hello became a daily reminder of the good in life.

Thank you, Mr. Richardson. I don’t know where you are. I wish you would find this and read it because my gratitude is abundant and boundless.