We had just finished eating at the new Subway near our home, Sunday. With a clear view to the parking area outside we saw a tall slender woman slowly climb from a car and enter. She was more than slender. She was thin and quite elderly. The woman did not look well. When she placed her order her voice was weak. We walked outside and the car she came from was next to ours. An elderly gentleman was behind the wheel. I looked at the license plate. It was TEXAS, and at the bottom were these words "Former POW". I was emotionally moved when I saw the plate and reflected on this aged couple, so I moved to his window and tapped on it. He looked at me with some concern, but finally rolled down the window. I said to him, "I just wanted to thank you". He looked rather puzzled and said, "For what?". Struggling to speak I simply pointed at his license plate and said, " For that!" . A big smile creased his worn face and he simply said, "You're welcome.". That was the total conversation. He rolled up the window and I walked to our car.
How does "thank you" say much for months, perhaps years, in a POW camp somewhere at a long ago time when we were at war? It doesn't. I had a cousin who was a POW during World War II after being shot down over France. His leg was broken as he parachuted to the ground. His life was never quite the same, though he became a school teacher and lived until last year.
How could I simply say, "Thank You" for what he paid for freedom? I couldn't; but isn't it better than saying nothing at all? Seeing a big smile break across this unknown gentleman's face made those moments very special to me. I pray they brought a special moment for him also. It didn't cost me anything but paid big dividends.
We cannot over use "thank you". It is a word that holds up well. In fact, the more it is used the better it becomes. By the way, "thank you" for reading this story. "Thank you!".
