An Unexpected Thank You

They all sat huddled around the brown lunch tables. Conversation was light with occasional laughter, but their faces reflected a much more hesitant mood in the air. Now what? Was today going to be the end of their work or was it the end of the chaos stirred up? They watched her stand up, they listened attentively, like never before. She announced and confirmed that changes had come, but then unexpectedly, she thanked and expressed appreciation for each very one. They clapped and they cheered as she read through her list of personal remarks for everyone. Her words were accompanied with flowers, a note, and a gift card to use. . .
The hesitant mood quickly vanished from sight, they seemed somewhat stunned, but entirely grateful. Sometimes we think people can't change, we tend to see them in only a negative way. We paint them into a corner and don't give them much room to come out. That blinds us from seeing them in any different light. But today was so different, what had been expected never occurred, only an unexpected "thank you" came in its place. . .

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