Small World, Big Impact: The Waitress

Once upon a time, in a land far away {known as the end of 2014}, I started telling you about some people who made a big impact on me by just being themselves. None of them were big name people that you'd ever heard of. They hadn't done huge things by the world's standards. But they were incredibly faithful in their own everyday worlds. And I wrote about them in a little project I did several years ago.

{The introduction to this series and why I felt moved to share it with you can be found here.}

I had been SO EXCITED to tell you about this next person...and then December arrived. It arrived with our anniversary trip and the house sale and all things Christmas...and I never told you. So I hope you have a moment to spend with me today, because this lady...is a treasure. A treasure.

***

I was on vacation with Mom and Dad. I don't remember where we went that year, but we ate at Bob Evans one night. It was very busy that evening, and I just knew we were going to get a waitress who didn't have a clue. It seemed to be my general luck when eating out. Much to my surprise. we happened to sit at a table in the section of a very nice waitress.

At that time in my life, I was just getting into writing, and I carried my gray notebook with me everywhere. I wrote all the time about anything and everything. That night, I'd brought the notebook to the restaurant with me. I wrote about her appearance: tall - probably over six feet! Skinny, blonde hair pulled up in a brown claw clip. Artificial nails polished lavender. Simple thick gold wedding band. Average face. White shirt, black CK pants, black shoes. Calls everybody honey, careful to treat everyone like family. Even cuts up an old man's meat for him, because he couldn't do it himself.

That last part is what I remember about the waitress. She was so friendly, and I remember in the middle of rushing from table to table to check on all her people, she noticed the tiny old man at the table across from us. He was there with his wife, and he was having the most difficult time cutting his meat. The waitress leaned her tray up against the side of the booth, bent over, took the man's knife and fork, and began cutting the meat. She talked to him the whole time, smiling, calling him honey, and assuring him it was no problem.

I asked Dad to leave her extra on the tip. I'd never seen a waitress take so much time for someone before...especially an older person. She was in no hurry to move us in and out as quickly as possible so she could get more people in her section. She just took good care of us and served everyone with a smile.

I'm sorry I'm not always so kind. I sometimes forget the "quality above quantity rule. I spend so much time trying to generate work that I forget to make the time I do spend with people the most valuable that I can.

Sweet waitress, I"m sorry I didn't write down your name. I don't want to go through life calling you "The Bob Evans Lady," but it's the best I can do. I haven't forgotten you, though. Thank you for being kind to the man across the aisle. You probably didn't even know I was watching or taking notes. But I was doing both, and you impressed me with your spirit of servanthood. Thank you for being willing to go above and beyond what you had to do and for reminding me of my need to do the same!

***

I wrote that back when I worked in Financial Aid, and we had way more files on our desk than time in our day. I am happy to say that as I copy these words to you today, and as I think about life in radio, it's a joy to have the time to spend with people that I didn't have in the other line of work. I still rush more than I should some days, but I'm thankful for all I learned from this wonderful woman - whose name I still don't know - and for the privilege of serving others in the work I do!