Simply Fabulous Friends

Today, I was feeling pretty low and then something awesome happened. I got a chance to see three of my friends, each at work, doing their thing. Each told me that I looked lousy. Each asked me how I was. One went so far as to ask me repeatedly if I was ok, or maybe sick, or maybe just in need of a vacation. He simply wouldn't let me "get away" with the stat, "I'm fine."

What happened next was awesome. They each helped. Heather, who is a massage therapist worked on my back and wrist and helped take away my pain. But she also made me laugh. We laughed a lot.

At the grocery store, Greg made me laugh too. He mocked my purchases and wouldn't let me leave the store without the flyer's weekly bonus points. It feels great to have a friend who knows me that well and makes the effort to turn my day around.

And Steve took extra special care of a gift, at the print shop on my behalf. The gift recipient will be very pleased. But the bonus gift to me, in this situation, was the few minutes Steve and I talked about how precious children are. He and his lovely wife are expecting a child in mere weeks.  And of course I love my kids very much. It was a great conversation and I left feeling good about my family again.

I also learnt a valuable lesson, overall, today. Wear makeup! Apparently, without it I look like hell. Good to know! LOL  And if your friends can't tell you that.... get new friends.

I have this theory

My theory goes that if you are having a rotten day, you ought to look for someone you can help. There has to be someone worse off than you. So, rather than wallow in self pity, take the bull by the horns and try to change someone else's day for the better.

When you make someone else happy, you make yourself happy too. But it typically also starts a chain reaction of good karma.

Instead of being the one who says, "nobody ever buys me flowers" be the one who surprises a friend with flowers.

Rather than saying "I need", how about being the one who says..."I have this to give."

It sounds all very pollyanna.... which is not typical of my verse. However, I believe it to be true. Pay it forward. It will change your outlook. And it just might be the rainbow someone else is desperately looking for.

Good Day, eh?

Today was a good day at the restaurant. I needed a good day. I was starting to let exhaustion overcome me and take the love out of the job.

And then... the troops came marching in. One by one and two by two, the friendly faces were all around. Regular customers who are more than just that. They're not customers, clients or guests, they're friends. People I love seeing. I love cooking for them. I love serving their desserts. They came in droves today. (Ok. they came in Toyotas and Fords and Chevrolets, but they came in. ) And their visits gave me a lift. They gave me energy and the necessary reminder that my restaurant is valued, and I am valued.

Restaurant life isn't easy. It's 80 hours a week of cooking and prepping. It's hot and tiring being on your feet all day. It's always trying to please someone else. But I love it. And I believe I do it well.  And the reason I keep doing it and trying my best is for the people who genuinely care and make me smile in return.

Just the other day, a regular customer took a moment to pass on a compliment before he left. He got my attention and said, "Thanks Cathie, those chicken fingers were perfect. It's just what I needed."

Now really, chicken fingers aren't a big deal. We serve 1000's of them. They're pretty hard to screw up. But, I believe he was genuinely appreciative of the effort and the hot lunch and maybe it really was just what he needed that day. But the compliment, well timed and so appreciated made MY day.

Sometimes all you need is a pat on the back, and the day becomes a little easier to bear.  So a sincere thanks to all those who lifted me up today and gave me the pep talk I needed.