It was nighttime when my Vietnamese friend, Janet, insisted I go to dinner with her because my family dinner had been cancelled due to illness. I chose Zupas, Meridian. We started down the service line and I started my usual, “Hi! My name’s Sandy, what’s yours?” The first server, who turned out to be the manager, asked if I was having a good day. “Since I’ve been celebrating my 82nd birthday all day, I’d say yes.” She told me I don’t look 82, so we were instant buds (smile!) I chatted all the way down the line only to meet Rebecca (manager) at the cash register, “Happy Birthday, your dinner is on me!” She added a dessert to my tray. During dinner, the whole crew came to sing happy birthday (and collect their thank you hugs from me!)
Before we left, I walked up to Rebecca, “Thank you again for your generosity, and even more for honoring me.” We hugged and felt very grateful.
If you have lunch or dinner at Zupas (recommend it!) tell Rebecca, “Birthday Sandy sent me!”
This story is about me and how I live my life, AND even more about how a small amount of kindness touches people’s hearts. We are disconnected from each other, and we seem to be unsure about HOW to re-connect. “Hi, my name is Sandy, what’s yours?” works for me.
One of the sayings I remember, especially when working with truly challenging children, is, “He/she drew a circle that shut me out, heretic, rebel a thing to flout; but love and I had wit to win, we drew a circle that brought him/her in.”
All day long, I draw circles to bring people in—with just a moment of friendliness. Think of how many circles you could draw today? Tomorrow? Every day?
Please share with friends and family.
Scott A. McDaniel photo
