It was one of those days I just needed someone, someone who had been away for far too long—Ms. Angel, a dear coworker, a dear friend who broke her wing and had taken two months to recover. She would finally be returning by the end of that week, but Friday just couldn’t come soon enough.

I had a rule of sorts: don’t get close to coworkers; be professional. Ms. Angel is the reason I had to rethink that rule. People come in many forms. Some are negative, rude, self-seeking. Some are upbeat and kind. Many of us fall somewhere in the middle. Ms. Angel is one of those people who always has something kind to say. She sees the silver lining in every dark cloud, and she exudes joy. It’s a gift to be able to spend time with her because her joy is so contagious. She adds to my life in a way very few people ever have.

I called her up on Wednesday because I was feeling a bit down. I told her how I was feeling because I knew she would listen and tell me everything would be ok—which she did. She said something else too; she said I should paint. She said I should paint whatever it was that I was feeling.

That night I gathered some of my art supplies and a spare canvas then put them into a bag. “Ms. Angel said I needed to paint, and I think that’s just what I’ll do.” I told myself.

The next day I brought my art supplies to work and gathered some of her kids into my room to do some finger painting on the canvas I had brought. I covered the canvas in her favorite color, and then the kids and I used our fingerprints to create some beautiful florals. Friday morning we surprised her with it for her first day back.

Lately I’ve been thinking about the concept of “givers” and “takers”. There are people who take, take, take—whether it be your resources, your time, or even just your energy; these people are draining to be around. Then there are givers. The gift of giving is a wonderful thing when the giver has healthy boundaries. They can give without expecting anything in return because it’s who they are.

Giving comes in many forms, and it’s not always physical; sometimes giving can be spiritual. Your light is a gift to be given just as much as anything else.

How are you showing up for the people you spend your time with? Are you adding to that person’s life or are you taking? Do you steer clear of gossip and slander? Do you encourage people, build them up, leave them better than you found them?

Ms. Angel is a giver. I’ve watched her over the years give to people who have done nothing but take from her. I’ve watched her be kind to the most unkind, not because she expected the same treatment in return but simply because it’s who she is.

Ms. Angel inspires me to be someone who gives more and expects less, the type of person who adds something special to people’s lives. We love you, Ms. Angel; you’re an irreplaceable gift to this world.