The Beginning...

I have often beat myself up for being in the restaraunt industry for as long as I have. Seeing as how I don't see my career choice in the industry, I never planned to spend the better part of a decade watiting tables and bartending. But here we are, 9 years after I waited my first table. Thinking back on it, I am bombarded with memories of co-workers who became some of my best friends, moments in my life that I will forever cherish, and of course a few really wild and crazy moments that you wouldn't believe unless you spent some time working in a resaraunt. But more than just being a server at work, my belief is that God calls us to serve. So this is really meant to share the lessons I have learned from Serving, both in and out of the restaraunt.

One of my favorite stories I share happen quite a few years ago. It was a busy Friday or Saturday night, I can't remember which one. I got a new table, a part of 6. There were 2 grandparent age folks, two parent age folks, and 2 younger kids. I greeted the table and waited on them as I would any other table. At that time, our restaraunt encouraged us to ask if there was a special occassion at each table. We would give them a free dessert and take a picture with a polaroid camera. During the course of the meal, I asked about a special occassion and the adults mentioned that it was family time, and the kids lit up talking about how they were spending time with grandma and grandpa. Having spent many weekends with my own grandparents, I recognized this as a special occassion and ordered the cheesecake, and even brought over the camera. The family was taken back, but joined in close around the dessert and smiled beautifully for the picture. When I presented the check to the family I dropped of a small picture holder that we gave with the pictures, on which I had written a small message about family time. As they exited the restaraunt, the grandma had the card with picture inside grasped closely to her. She moved a little slower, so was the last to leave. As she walked passsed my she mentioned again how much she appreciated the picture. I downplayed how big of a deal it was, to deflect praise. She leaned in close to me and told me her husband did not have long to live, that this visit was perhaps their last to see the grandkids. With tears now in both of eyes, I started to understand what the picture might mean, not just right then, but in the days or weeks ahead for her. A quick reminder that this happen in the middle of a busy night. I had to step out back to the dock where the dumpster is to get myself together. It's funny when things are put into perspective even the loudest restaraunt can seem completely quiet if the right thing is said to us. That's what it felt like when she told me that. I went on with my night, and at the end of the night counted my tips and normally would have been upset at the amount. However, my soul had been fed that night, and really the money was just secondary to me. This story reminds of a lesson I learned recently. Being kind doesn't cost us a whole lot normally. For the restaraunt it cost one picture and a small dessert. To have the keepsake of that night, it sure doesn't seem like too much.