And because of this, I've found that I often lose my faith in humanity. Where is all the compassion? The love? The kindness that everyone is longing for?
Recently I'd lost this faith, not for any real reason, I just haven't seen the kindness that I expect out of people.
I'm exhausted. Exhausted because I've smiled at hundreds of people these past 24 hours with few sincere responses. Why is everyone so afraid of eye contact, acknowledging each other's presence, and genuinely replying to questions of well being?
I dreaded having to work a double shift today. I wanted nothing more than to nap all afternoon, cook dinner and watch a movie... but responsibility called and at 6:30 I returned to work to smile at insincere people for an additional four hours this evening.
But now, I am very thankful I was scheduled to work tonight because a single man restored my faith in humanity and allowed me to start my year off with a positive mind set.
A little boy came in our restaurant tonight in a wheel chair. It appears that he is paralyzed from the waist down for his dad had to life him in and out of the booth and carry him to the restroom. This particular family comes in for dinner frequently, and the boy always has a smile on his face and his best friend at his side.
After seating his family a young man seated at the bar came up to the hostess stand and told me he wanted to pick up the check for the table where the little boy in the wheelchair was seated. I asked him twice if he was sure... that there were 7 individuals at that table and dinner is by no means cheap... "yes, I want to pay for their meal" he assured me.
After a few minutes I came back to him a third time and made sure he really wanted to pick up their check and he announced to me in all seriousness "that little boy goes through more in a single day than you or I will in a year. I want to pick up their check." I stared at him wide eyed and nodded before returning to my designated spot behind the podium.
I wanted to hug this man. This man no older than 28 in a black zip up sweatshirt with a heart of gold. I wanted to hug this man and thank him. Thank him for his compassion, his kindness, his love.
I saw a happy little boy in a wheel chair tonight, and he saw years of pain and sadness.
For the remaining three hours of my shift I tried to find a reason for this man's generosity. He has a family member... a brother perhaps... in a similar situation as this boy. He's rich, what's another 200 dollars? It's a new year, why not start it off right?
But I've come to the conclusion that I don't care what his motive or reason for paying 200 dollars for 7 strangers to enjoy a family dinner. He did it, with kindness in his eyes, and no intention of this particular family ever knowing it was him. And that is enough. Enough to restore my faith in humanity, my belief that people are actually all good, and that compassion is ever present.
Thank you man in the black jacket.
Thank you.
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