Call Me Audrey

This week I received one of the nicest compliments I have had in a while. Isn't it amazing the power our words have? They make or break us, and the topic "words" has come up quite a bit lately. With words comes the ability to powerfully and effectively communicate. It's a strength that not everyone can have. I'll admit it's not one of my strengths!

Getting back to this compliment...Monday afternoon at dismissal, I was outside waiting for a bus to arrive for a group of our students. Other staff members were outside that had bus duty, and we were joking around with the students and talking with one another.

One of the teachers nearby said to me, "I just love how you dress! You know, you remind me of Audrey Hepburn."

I suppose my face showed that I did not know how to receive the compliment because she quickly said, "No, no...I said Audrey, not Katherine. Do you even know who these people are?"

I caught myself and laughed, "Yes! I know who those people are, Lyn!!!! And, thank you." We talked a bit more about the Hepburns and then jumped to some other topic.

She didn't know how powerful her words were. When I think of Audrey, there is a beauty that I don't consider myself to have. I believe this has a lot to do with my childhood. I was never the "pretty one" and boys didn't have crushes on me. I have always been the friend that help set up the guy that liked my friend. I have been the one considered to be a sister. I am the leader, the doer. I make people laugh, I am a hard worker, I am an achiever...Somehow my looks never are the focus of those around me.

We all have certain qualities we'd like to be recognized or acknowledged for...I pray daily that my words would uplift someone and brighten their day. I am thankful for the wonderful moment I had the other day. Years from now I know I'll look back and remember the afternoon I reminded someone of Audrey.