SMALL ACTIONS MAKING A BIG IMPACT

As I opened up an email message this morning I was so incredibly moved... 

Before I tell you about the message, let me first explain a bit of the background.  July 19th of last year (2011) my dad passed away after a very short 6 week battle with cancer.  Every day I have been truly thankful for my decision to move back 'home' to small town southern Manitoba so I could spend the last 2 years of my dad's life seeing him, joking, debating, and enjoying his positive encouraging company.  He was there to walk me down the isle in 2010 - he was a man that I looked up to and respected and I ALWAYS knew that he was there for me (when my car broke down, when I would run out of gas, when I had business questions, etc).  Since he passed away that feeling has not changed - I still feel he's there for me every day.  It's hard to explain - but sometimes just being silent and listening - will give me the answer I know is right.  

After loosing someone so close - I really took the time to re-evaluate my life.  The important things (like family, true friends, etc) and to realize that a lot that I thought was important before wasn't (money, shopping, materialistic things).  I have tried to remind myself of this realization on a daily basis when faced with today's struggles.  

About 1 month ago, as I was leaving the University of Manitoba I was pulling up to a red light when in the blink of an eye I was rear ended.  My Ford Edge slammed forward as my head hit the back and instantly my engine died.  I took some time to gather myself before getting out of the vehicle not knowing how bad the damage was... to see the vehicle that had hit me.  The driver was shocked, apologetic, and her primary concern was to make sure I was alright.  It would be in situations like this I might of been angry or upset - I would of normally called my dad to calm me down - ask what info I needed, what I should do, etc.  But this time, in this moment - I was calm, a little shaky, but I knew I could get through this.  The driver was crying - so I explained to her how she shouldn't worry - how after my dad passed I've realized these things are materialistic - not a big deal.

Today - well over a month later, with a fixed vehicle - I received a note in my inbox from my Aunt (in law).  This is what it read...

"I had breakfast with one of Erin's [daughter] good friends from childhood and beyond yesterday.  I was asking her how things were going in her life and she told me that her and her husband had purchased a new car this past summer.  She told me that shortly after they bought it she rear ended someone and nearly totaled the car.  She explained how the person in the vehicle that she had rear ended had been the most wonderful lady.  She had spent time consoling her and had also shared with her that after losing her father she did not worry about the small stuff so much.  She was very moved by her compassion.  I listened to her story and then she said that the angel's name was Audrey Wiebe from Morden.  I was blessed.  Your father would be so proud of the woman you are and the influence that he still has on your life.

Take care."

Now - I'm not writing this blog to showcase my actions - I'm posting this so we can all realize what an impact we are in ANY situation!   The way I see it when something bad happens we have 3 choices; You can let it define you, you can let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you!  

"I've learnt that people will forget what you say, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel"  Maya Angelon