The Greatest Compliment

What does a compliment sound like to you?

Is it a simple, "Thanks."? 

Compliments lurk all around, you just may not recognize them!!!  I have come up with some of my favorite compliments, from students, staff and parents:

"Have a good day."

"Ope! Let me get my trash."

"Mrs. Woodall, man, she don't play!"

"Mrs. Woodall, am I too late for treatment?"

"Humph! I never knew that."

"How did you know to ask me that question?"

"Can I wait in here for my ride?"

"I'm going to the front office, do you need anything while I'm up there?"

"I brought you a sweet tea with no ice from Chichen Express!"

"Thank you for calling me about my child's injury."

All of these examples sound like someone who has thought about something that I did and chose to take the next step in building a relationship.  They are all things that do not have to be said, but because they were, it put a smile on my face...even if only in secret...cause Mrs. Woodall don't play!

But what is the greatest compliment that can be given an athletic trainer that shows the utmost gratitude?  Is it: 

When an athlete casually says, "I could be an athletic trainer!"  after merely cutting off his ankle tape?  

or...

When students, who have had no athletic experience, wander into your facility and try to stay as long as they can, for no good reason.

or...

When several athletes who have been treated for injuries at the same time can say, in unison, what the treatment for a new injury is..."Ice it."

Nah!  I believe that the greatest showing of appreciation and gratitude is this:

When one of the athletes that had received long-term care in your facility, decides to go into the athletic training profession.

This made my heart happy :)