This morning wasn’t unlike most others when I work breakfast service at the hotel by the airport. Except that i ended my shift in tears of happiness. i clocked out feeling more encouraged ad refreshed than i have in recent memory.
Cheeseburger mike was up to his same shenanigans, lovin his life of thuggery, seeing how many times he can consecutively play his Eminem cd in a 4 hour shift… Such is life at the hotel kitchen. Businessmen politely, impatiently enjoying the breakfast I bring them… Such is life waiting tables. Then I recognized the frizzy salt and pepper hair I could make out by the bright backlit window.
“good morning, Paul!” I remembered having some wonderful exchanges with this guest on his last visit to our fair city.
Delightfully surprised someone remembered him (and at such an early hour), he paused and said, “oh hello! made anything new, my talented artist gal?” now I was delighted that he remembered me! We’d exchanged links to our respective musical and visual art projects after our first meeting. In his email, the signature after his name read “professional human being.” this man is a breath of sweet, fresh air. Though we hadn’t stayed in touch, I’m glad we stayed in each others memories. “so,” he asked when everyone else had gone and I was removing the remnants of his meal, “what have you made lately?”
“just some big changes in my life these days. Attempting to master the art of life, I guess?” he smiled at my reply and asked for the specifics. I told him about my new job working with volunteers at the regional food bank, about getting a new roommate and cleansing my house.
“well good for the city!! They need people who want to work with other people. Someone who realized the impact of their efforts. You’re sustaining lives. It’s all going to come back to you. You’re investing in life. How good for your city, and good for you!” just what you’d expect to hear from a professional human. Then I told him I’m continuing to invest in myself, keeping up with the good food and plenty of healthy playtime (because why exercise when you can actively play?). The last thing I mentioned was how happy it made me to adopt a stray dog a couple days ago.
“I had planned to get some kind of German Shepard later on in the year, but this one just showed up. He followed me around, played well, came when I called. He’ll sit for me, act protective of me, and yelp when I leave. I can’t believe I found such a great dog! Its funny to me how something so simple as adopting a pet could lift me up so much.”
He replied, “correction - you attracted him. And you’re caring for a different type of life than human. This life gives you different satisfaction because it makes different demands that are seemingly ‘easier’. It’s all a reminder that you still matter and your work is important. Good job, girl. Keep up the good work.”
My hear overflowed into my eyes. Happiness and goodness abound.
