Whatever

“AHH, WALTER, GET THE BUG”

Many of us know Olive Garden’s slogan When You’re Here, You’re Family.  Well, I recently put that to the test.

The tables were wooden and nice to sit at.  The chairs were also comfortable.  The view wasn’t anything special, but there was a pretty cool looking van in the Walmart parking lot that had flames on its sides. 

I was immediately offered wine, and after admitting I was underage, refused wine.  If you’re going to offer me wine, please don’t rescind your offer.  It’s common courtesy.

The napkins were probably the highlight.  They were cloth and worked really well at cleaning the windows.  One waiter told me I didn’t have to do that, but I insisted.  After all, I like a good, clear view of parking lots.  Who doesn’t.

Finally, it was time to order.  I went with the pizza.  The menu said I could pick four toppings, so I chose half portions of eight toppings.  There were only seven to choose from, though, so I made one up.  “…and blorgaspork.”

“Sorry?  What is blorgaspork?”

“That’s your job to know, now isn’t it.”

After a reasonable wait, my food arrived.  It was a really good meal, not exactly overpriced, but not exactly underpriced either.  It was just priced.

My waiter soon arrived and asked me if I wanted dessert. 

“Steve,” I said, “Have a seat.”

He did.

“I have this business idea.  And while I’m here, and we’re family, I was hoping you could give me a loan.”

Steve tried to laugh it off.  Like it was some kind of joke.  I was offended and he could tell.  “Steve, this isn’t a joke.”

Steve looked a bit nervous.  I grabbed his hands and pinned them to the table.  “Are we family or not, Steve.”

“Not in the literal sense…” said Steve.  I wasn’t going to let him reason his way out of this one. 

“Look, Steve.  I cleaned your windows.  Family does that for each other.  They clean each others’ windows.  Now, don’t you think I deserve that loan?  We’re family, Steve, we’re family.”

Steve handed me 13 bucks.  “Thanks, Steve.”

when i was down at the beach, there was this older couple, sitting together on on the rocks, holding hands, watching the sunset.

at first i was self conscience to play in front of them, because i’m not very good, so i just played quietly at first.

as i grew accustomed to their presence, i started to play louder and louder. after playing for about 10 minutes, the couple approached me and complimented me on my playing.

i thought they were just making, asking me things like if i took lessons, how long i’d been playing, things like that. 

then, a little out of nowhere, the man asked me to play a song for them. i wanted to decline because i didn’t want to embarrass myself or disapoint the couple, but the way they were looking at me… they were so innocent and sincere i couldn’t refuse.

so i played them a quick little song. it wasn’t anything crazy, just a quick little picking tune.

after i finished playing, the man just broke into tears. i must have looked at him questionably or something because the woman then said to me that she has a brain tumor and she wasn’t going to go through with the treatment plan.

she later when on to tell me about how her and the man had met, how they had fallen in love, where their wedding was. they had been together for 67 years. 

when she started talking about being diagnosed, i couldn’t help it; i just broke down into tears. she told me about how she has 2 children and 5 beautiful grandchildren.

then, she just hugged me. i felt so emotionally attached to this person that i didn’t even know… it was the weirdest sensation.

she told me she was so thankful that i had player for her, and that she will think of me before she goes.

i was honestly at a loss for words… i still am sort of. i am so blessed that i was able to play for these people… 

it was just a really inspirational moment. this lady i don’t even know… who is not going to make it and knows that the time she has left is limited… to think that she would spend some of that precious time listening to me?

and even though she knows she is not going to make it, she looked so… satisfied. she looked genuinely happy to be sitting at the beach, watching the sunset with the man she loves, and listening to some random teenager play guitar.

i think it’s gonna be one of those things that changes me. i started comparing my own problems to hers… and they just don’t compare.

sure, there will always be stress and sadness caused by a mulitude of different things, but i know my problems can never even come close to rivalling this woman’s situation.

the couple left before i could even ask for their names. i had planned on sending them flowers or something, but now i can’t.

it’s just crazy to think that in one minute, i am listening to this couple’s life story, and in the next moment, they’re just gone.

3:29 p.m. feel free to add to this!  (via expresswithsilence)

I like this list. Nice reminder.