Morning Smiles

October 12, 2017

After the MRI this morning, Linda and I were ready for breakfast. She had had an English muffin and coffee before we left home at 6:00 am, but my instructions were clear: no food; just plenty of water. So we hit the Galleria Mall at 9:00. Of course, the stores weren’t open, but after a bit of walking, we did locate a Timmy Ho’s. There was a short line, but in a couple minutes we were at the counter, ordering. The young man on the other side had a big smile, and was bantering with the customers, expressing his hopes that the Bills would make it to the playoffs. He hadn’t seen them even close to the Super Bowl in his lifetime, and was hoping that he might, before he died. 

All the time, he was laughing and joking, making life a little better for those in line, who by the looks on most of their faces, weren’t too happy about going to work. One lady in particular, testy because she thought someone had cut into line ahead of her, took out her frustration on him. He took it all in stride. Her criticism dimmed the light in his eyes for a few moments, but before long, he was right back at it. 

On the way out, I tipped him, thanking him for making peoples’ mornings a bit better. It wasn’t much; it certainly won’t put him through school, but I hope he realizes the influence he is having on people, even if some of them don’t know it. It isn’t always the big things that make a difference; sometimes a kind word, or even a positive outlook can be just what someone needs when their own outlook has become overgrown with worries and cares. And maybe; just maybe even that grumpy woman will pause long enough to realize she has received grace, and be a better person for it. I hope that I will be, simply by witnessing it in the smile and joviality of a young man working for minimum wage at a fast-food coffee shop.