HANDS-ON DAYMAKER

I am a massage therapist. I have the good fortune to work with all kinds of people. They come to me feeling weary, overused and distant. I help them get in touch with themselves physically, which often brings up emotions that are caught up inside them.

Many people cry in my dimly lit room and share stories of heartbreak and courage. These people are all daymakers to someone. Teachers, who deserve more thanks from all of us. Nurses who have it in them to go day after day to a job fraught with emotional peril. Firemen have cried in the peaceful safety of my room of those lost. I have had a nervous bride or groom before their wedding day and a pregnant woman anticipating birth and parenthood. We are all daymakers. People leave me ready to serve others having been refilled themselves. We all need to remember to be thankful for all of our good fortune. Kindness can change a persons life as much as tragedy. So smile, say thank you and help another when you can.

Walk in the light.
- Ruth

GRANDPA THE DAYMAKER

I gave Life as a Daymaker to my 84-year-old grandfather for Christmas.

He looked at it as though he would probably never read it. In general, he does not show much emotion. A few weeks later my grandmother phoned to tell me that he had read the book and that he really liked it. In fact, he sat down and wrote my grandmother a beautiful poem, something he had never done before. It was a truly touching experience for both of them. My grandmother is 80 and my grandfather is 84. Both had been married and raised families with former spouses and both had lived many years as the caregiver to an ill spouse. If anybody deserves some daymaking it is my grandmother, and her husband does a wonderful job at it, especially since reading Life as a Daymaker.
- Deb

THE SMALL THINGS

I gave one of my clients a coupon for a complimentary haircut. She was a sweet and fun woman. Unfortunately her husband had lost his job about a year before they really needed to cut back on unnecessary expenses. It was around the holidays and I gave her a coupon and told her she could give it as a gift or keep it for herself. She seemed so pleased and thanked me over and over. Three months later she returned, and told me that her husband was still without a job. We had a wonderful conversation about the battle that she and her family face. She talked about how having faith in god is so important because you see that you are never given more than you can handle, and how all of the little things that seem so insignificant turn out to be the most important. In fact, she and her family had started a book of the many things that they are grateful for. She then told me of how she had added my name to that notebook. I never knew that one little coupon or gesture of kindness could have so much impact and in turn make me feel so special.
- Stephanie

DAYMAKER CHILDREN

I am a single Mom with two children and want to be a Daymaker everyday for them. My nine-year-old daughter is my Daymaker. She will out of the blue ask to rub my shoulders and feet. She will also ask me to relax. At that point I don't need the massage as she has just totally make my day. David's book emphasizes the small things that we all have lost sight of. I try to do my Daymaking, recognizing the people around me. Always saying hello, whether I know the person or not. grabbing the door for another person, helping someone with packages, being courteous on the freeway, these are all small gestures but could you imagine if we all did our part in being a "Daymaker"? This is what I want for my children.
- Jessica

THE STORY OF CLARENCE

I am a massage therapist and had the pleasure of reading Life as a Daymaker. Clarence, an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair, came to me for the first time a month ago. Because he can't lie face down I gave him a massage entirely face up. He lost his wife of 55 years not long ago and his caregiver, Judy, said he is very lonely. The touch of the massage was so healing for him. His skin is so paper thin and delicate I felt that his heart was right on the surface. He beamed a beautiful smile throughout the service and I felt like he was looking up at heaven smiling. He comes in every other week now and really looks forward to having his day made. I feel blessed by being a Daymaker.
- Kat

FE-FE A TRUE DAYMAKER

Peggy is a 91-year-old woman who lives alone since her husband passed away approximately 20 years ago. She is basically housebound now, but still tries to do as much of her daily housework as possible. She wants to be independent, but because of her age and physical condition, she needs assistance from friends and neighbors to do her shopping, banking, maintenance, etc. She is very lonely and feels she is a burden to everyone around her.

For the last couple years we have been taking our 12 year old teacup poodle (FE-FE) over to her house to spend time with her. The dog has added years to Peggy's life. She talks constantly to everyone about the dog and the time they spend together. She even hands out pictures of her and FE-FE. Not long ago, she had the Catholic priest come to her house to bless the dog!

Peggy was near death in the hospital about a year ago, her blood pressure had dropped to about 47/25 and the doctors had little hope for a recovery. We smuggled FE-FE into the hospital to see Peggy. The look on Peggy's face when she saw that dog was unbelievable, talk about being a Daymaker! FE-FE was it. It was like there was something to live for. She made a miraculous recovery I truly believe FE-FE the Daymaker had a big part in it.
- Bruce

A SMALL GESTURE

A regular client of mine came in for a haircut and when I asked her how she was she grabbed my arm and told me her husband passed away two days earlier in a sudden accident. She was left with two school age boys. We talked about many things during her service and when we were done I told her the haircut was complimentary and that I hoped she would be OK. She hugged me and I though about her a lot. It was a small gesture, but I hoped it would help make her day. The thank you note I received a few days later showed me that it was an easy way to show her that I cared about her and it made me feel awesome.
- Jackie

DAYMAKER DAD

I had an old car that I was going to sell and brought it to a dealer to see how much he thought I could sell it for. It seemed I would probably get $3000 for the car. I took the car back and that evening my son came home with his new girlfriend who was the mother three small children. Her husband had run out on her a year before. She was talking about how hard it was and especially about her car that was held together with duct tape and a prayer. I had read Life as a Daymaker two days before and suddenly had an idea! I gave her my car that evening. Neither she nor my son could believe it. It is now three months later and my son is engaged to her to be married. She is an incredible young lady and the car is in the best of hands. Thank you for the gift of Daymaking!
- David