Have you ever felt unappreciated? Ever feel like everything you do, all your effort goes unnoticed? When I really care about something I put everything I have into it. I’ve never been one to shy away from a little blood, sweat and tears. I work hard for what I love. And in this day of immediate gratification, sometimes a little appreciation would be nice.

Buffy, like most heroes, was doomed to fight demons and save the world, a lot, right under the nose of society without so much as a “thank you.” Which is why her “Class Protector” award was so touching.  Being “the chosen one” was not her idea but she accepted her destiny and dedicated herself to keeping the world, and her classmates, safe. Sure, she would have liked someone to stop her in the halls to say “thanks for killing that vampire at The Bronze last night” or “I would have gotten eaten by that werewolf if it hadn’t been for you.” But being a slayer is called a calling for a reason. People aren’t called to heroism for the accolades They are heroes because they are strong enough to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done. Regardless of the recognition.

Now I don’t go around saving the world…ever. But I put my best effort into everything that I care about. And just when I think that I walk around all day without anyone really seeing me, someone smiles and says “thank you.”  It’s shocking and uncomfortable… but wonderful and refreshing.

And as Buffy says “Every now and then, people surprise you.”