Words of C & E

Having worked as a teacher for more than 27 years, I've learned one thing from this profession- offering words of comfort and encouragement to the needed people. At first, I offered them to my students. Or I should say I have been trained to encourage or comfort students who I knew were in need. How do I know if they needed some encouraging words? Well, when students don't do well on exams or perform poorly when they give their oral presentations, I know how they feel and are ready to offer my words of C & E. Most of the time, students feel better after I say something warm or uplifting.
Since I do this so often to my students that I find out I will do the same thing to my colleague friends. As soon as I know who is low in spirits, I would sent her/him some pep talk to encourage her/him. I also show my concern about my friends' family--their children or spouses. Last Thursday afternoon I happened to know the husband of one of my friends was in low spirits. I was concerned about him because his wife is my friend. I thought of doing something but didn't take actions because I was busy that day--I went to pick up the birthday cake for my husband, bought McDonald's combo for his lunch, had lunch with him, went back to my office to meet with my grammar students, and had dinner with the "birthday boy" in the evening. By the time I finished my day, it was late at night.
Early next morning I got up with a desire to write a letter to my friend's husband. Then I spent an hour typing up a letter to encourage him. I haven't heard from him since then, but I believe he will feel less bad, if he didn't feel better. Nobody would feel worse after reading some words of C & E!