Those who remember to say thank you, a reminder to us all

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy reading the Hearts and Darts on the editorial page of the Daily Journal. It’s the little acts of kindness and gratitude that bring joy and beauty, despite the ugliness that keeps rearing it’s head in the world.

Monday’s Hearts included:

“To Hi-Way Lanes and the McDonald’s restaurant on East King Street: Thank you so much for making our great behavior reward party so much fun. We enjoyed bowling with our friends and having lunch after our bowling party.”

— Team M&M of Custer Baker Intermediate School: Karen Friend, Regina Scott, Angie Heuchan and Jennifer Stone

“Hearts to James Jarvis, who found and returned my wallet at Subway, and to Officer Jason York, who kindly returned it to me. Two honest, good men who saved me so much trouble.”

— Margie Connelly, Greenwood

When I read about my Johnson County neighbors thanking others, it reminds me of an old story that I heard as a child — a story written through the eyes of a physician. A story that is a reminder that I probably complain 90 percent more than I utter the words “thank you.”

As they continued onward toward Jerusalem, they reached the border between Galilee and Samaria, and as they entered a village there, 10 lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, sir, have mercy on us!”

He looked at them and said, “Go to the Jewish priest and show him that you are healed!” And as they were going, their leprosy disappeared.

One of them came back to Jesus, shouting, “Glory to God, I’m healed!” He fell flat on the ground in front of Jesus, face downward in the dust, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a despised Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal 10 men? Where are the nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?”

And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17: 11-19)

Thank you Margie Connelly and Team M&M of Custer Baker Intermediate School for reminding me to say thank you. You are all top-10 percent-ers!