While at work this past Sunday night a regular customer was in to have dinner. To give a little background: this customer is a very soft spoken and kind older woman, who is also an opera singer. She and her equally soft spoken and kind husband would come in to the restaurant on a regular basis. About a month ago she came in without her husband and my coworker asked how he was and she explained that he had passed away back in May. This took me by surprise--it felt like I had just waited on them recently. As she sat down in my station I expressed my sadness and condolences as we spoke about her husband and how she was coping since his death. So when she came in this past Sunday to eat, she flashed her usual friendly smile as I came over to say hello. We spoke about Thanksgiving and where she would be spending it--'with friends' she said--I said stupidly "I'm sure it's going to be hard this year without your husband" she confidently said with tear filled eyes "no it won't, it's just another 24 hour day just like every other day" although I knew this was her way of dealing with the grief of her husband's absence, I apologized and said you're right Thanksgiving should be everyday--all 365 of them. She went on to explain she loved her life with her husband and was thankful for the time she had had with him but that she had to move on and continue living--she seems to be quite a bit younger than her husband was--so I responded and said you still have a lot of living to do. She was telling me there are places she absolutely cannot go to because it is still too painful for her but she is able to come to this restaurant, she said, because of me. This was very humbling and she explained that I made it easier for her to come in--I told her I was glad because I loved having her. I'm not exactly sure what it is that makes her feel this way, but I do know that during this season of my life that I am working, my prayer has been specifically for the relationships I have with my co-workers and customers.
I pray I would not only give thanks to God this coming Thanksgiving day but everyday and also cherish the time spent with loved ones.
