###############################
Tue Nov  9 06:59:27 AM EST 2021
###############################

For maybe the second time in the last year, we visited a
restaurant and sat down for a meal. It was a lunch --
off-peak hours -- and except for the workers behind the
plexiglass and a few patrons in line or at two or three
tables, we had our space to ourselves.

The next day was kind of a special day, but today we were
altogether. We set out for burgers, but then split toward
burritos and once again for the joint on the south side of
the road rather than the north -- no problem. I swallowed
the sticker-shock and washed it down with my meal, enjoying
the rare outing.

Out from the back emerged the manager, jacket on and bag in
hand, ready to head home for the day. On spotting us, he lit
up and altered course toward our table. With the pandemic in
full swing, we hadn't seen him in maybe two years, but we
all recognized one another right away. We met shortly after
the shop first opened: the manager was taken by the nice
family with the kid in the wheelchair, and ever since has
gone the extra mile to make us all feel welcome, comping us
the occasional nachos, drinks, or even the boy's meal, and
always making time to talk -- sports, video games, and life.

He filled us in on the last year -- how difficult it's been
working through the pandemic, his family, kids, marriage, --
everything -- and we shared the same. Empathy -- sad times
and laughter. He shared one story in particular about his
wedding day, and how an anonymous couple in a restaurant saw
his extended family of maybe a dozen people enjoying the
special event and paid their entire bill. After such a
difficult year, he was filled with joy at the generosity of
his fellow men -- but his mind immediately was swept back
toward an event earlier in the day: While scouting the area
for a restaurant that could accommadate them all, he spotted
an older man in a wheelchair panhandling. It was clear to
him that the fellow needed the help; checking his wallet,
the smallest bill was a $20. So be it. He slipped the fellow
a $20 with a few kind words, and in return the fellow
blessed him. On return to the present, he had a tear in his
eye, recognizing the moment and recognizing that, sometimes,
God is sometimes more present in the down and out and
overlooked.

We continued on for a while about the need to keep faith,
hope, and love, in our core, for the sake of our fellow man,
our families, and ourselves.

And it's hard to say how important and well-timed that
encounter was for everyone present.