Every person on this planet deserves a lot of love and a lot of respect, a lot of care and a lot of attention. And I think sometimes we are so good at pointing out the bad that we forget to point out the good. Or deliver a traveling note. I'm a huge writer. I've always been better delivering my thank-you's and compliments on paper. But I have found sometimes that delivering a verbal greeting card or a "traveling note" sometimes does just as much-even more to share that "lot of love" with another. 

I'm not a parent yet, but someday I do hope to be, and I think maybe one of the most beautiful gifts for a parent may be hearing about something special regarding your child-an act of kindness, a moment of sincerity, something that maybe you didn't witness during the day but somebody else did a delivers to you unexpectantly into your heart mailbox. Whenever I deliver traveling notes, I always recognize the same familiar surprise (no matter who it is.) Surprise that someone would reach out. Surprise that the greeting card has opened and is singing out praise, surprise that someone would stop their busy day to come over and deliver that greeting. 

Today was a busy day, but I always have time for traveling notes. We had conducted a little "end of summer" scavenger hunt and two boys (twins) going into the third grade, were kind enough to turn and say "thank you for putting this together," "thank you for doing this for us." And I was touched because out of 150 scholars, they were two of the few who had said thank you. And they were sincere. I told both of them, "Wait till your mom picks you up today. I cannot wait to tell her you were the only two to use your hearts and your manners." Their eyes opened wide and they both gave me a huge hug.

Come dismissal, I naturally forgot I was supposed to deliver the traveling note. You'll find that this happens often as well. It's almost a test every time you are meant to deliver a compliment or a note of praise because it seems it very easily gets lost in the shuffle whereas our minds are trained to remember those "difficult moments"-we never seem to forget those. One of the boys ran back to get me during the bus dismissal and said, "Mrs. A she's here." It took me a second to think about what it is he was talking about..and then I remembered, "Today's traveling note of praise." I gladly walked out and delivered the greeting card and their mom was just beaming. It was like her birthday had come early. She kissed both of her boys, and I could tell that moment of trust had been built right there-because I said I was going to deliver and I did. Snail mail really is always a moment to be celebrated. 

Regardless of whether you are a "card person" or a "gift person" or "not a card person" just remember that everyone has a mailbox that travels around with them every day. Your mailbox is attached to your heart. Thousands of letters spill in and out of that mailbox everyday. You could be the one to deliver that snail mail of praise. Guarenteed that letter will remain in that mailbox tucked away and pulled out at the moment when it is needed the most. Because those greeting cards aren't disposable-unforgettable moments of love.