Last night I had a table of about 7 kids. Well, they were kids to ME since I’m now in my 30’s. But at one point I was standing there and someone made a joke and we were all LAUGHING SO HARD that we had to try to catch our breaths. As I’m walking away to put away their menus the kid on the end says, “I love life!” I smile at him and say, “Yeah, isn’t it fun?”
At that moment, the entire world was perfect.
Last night I served another table. Four older people who ordered two appetizers, smoothies and then their meals. After they were done eating and I was collecting the bill they all smiled at me and complimented me on my service.
“You’re like a professional at this,” the woman said.
“Yes, I’m a superstar!” I said and they all laughed. “I’m an artist.”
“Poetry?” the woman asked.
“Yes, that too.”
“Would you grace us with a performance?”
“Of course!”
So I performed to eager smiles all around the table and genuine laughter. After I came back with their paid check the woman says, “You really blessed him,” pointing to the man sitting to her right. “He says you remind him so much of his mother. Thank you for that.”
I beamed at the man as he smiled lovingly at me. “You were just like her,” he said.
At that moment, the entire world was perfect.
The other night the whole restaurant was empty so me, the other server and the manager stepped outside the front door into the warm night air. We sat and joked and shared stories about coming out, our experiences as servers and things that annoy us.
At one point we were laughing so HARD that it felt like magic was in the air. We all looked at each other, smiling as out laughter subsided. Sometimes they make me feel comfortable enough to let my guard down. We shared the same universe, the same heartbeat through our laughter.
At that moment, the entire world was perfect.
The other morning, just as I was about to get off, a single man came in for breakfast. I chatted with him as he told me he was only in town for one day and about to fly out again.
“Ooh! Let me guess what you do!” I told him. “Are you a district manager flying around closing down roller derby rinks?”
He laughed and laughed.
“I work for the man,” he hinted.
“Well then, tell me the opposite of what you do and let me guess,” I suggested.
“Ok,” he thought for a few seconds. “I greet good people.”
Huh? “Oh, I know! You work for the FBI!”
He laughed and laughed! “You have such a healthy imagination!”
“You repo cars!” I said.
He laughed and laughed.
“You’re a warden!” I offered.
He laughed so hard he almost dropped his drink.
I never did figure out what his profession was.
BUT- At that moment, the entire world was perfect.