You're going to need a tissue for this entry.....
Tonight after arriving back in NOLA, Miss Ginger and 2 of her dearest work friends decided to make an easy night of it and grab a quick bite at the Metairie outpost of Acme Oyster House. We sat down and ordered our drinks, and I noticed an old man sitting by himself at the table next to us, eating his dinner and drinking a beer. He looked like a million old "coon ass" men I knew growing up, and I thought it was cute that they still dress the same way today that they did (hmm hmm) years ago when Miss G was a kid. Then I noticed something that made my eyes water. Propped against the salt shaker, he had a photograph a stunning older woman, with perfectly coiffed white hair and pearls around her neck. No, it wasn't Barbara Bush, silly, it was his late wife!!! He brought her to dinner with him, and she was keeping him company while he ate! Awwwwwww!!!! Isn't that just the sweetest thing thing you ever saw?! No, not yet! One by one, the waitresses each came by when they got a chance, kissing him on the cheek, sitting and visiting if they had time, and just making sure he was okay! His actual server even brought him dessert to go, and she had labeled the styrofoam container "bread pudding 9/29/2008" with a ball-point pen so he would know how long it sat in his fridge.
It was one of those "wham!" moments that brings life into perspective, and when I pointed it out to my dining companions, we found ourselves all wiping tears from the corners of our eyes as we admired his devotion to his wife and the kindness of the servers, who clearly see him on a regular basis. As we left the restaurant, we noticed him lingering at the hostess stand, visiting with his friends, sharing the happenings of his day and catching up on the thrill of their young lives!
How ironic as I write this that Christina Aguillera is singing "we are beautiful" on my ipod and reminding us all that everyone is beautiful and deserves our love, devotion, and compassion!
Here are the lyrics:
[Spoken]
Don't look at me
Every day is so wonderful
And suddenly, it's hard to breathe
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the fame, I'm so ashamed
I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down
So don't you bring me down today
To all your friends, you're delirious
So consumed in all your doom
Trying hard to fill the emptiness
The piece is gone and the puzzle undone
That's the way it is
You are beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
You are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down
Don't you bring me down today...
No matter what we do
(no matter what we do)
No matter what they say
(no matter what they say)
When the sun is shining through
Then the clouds won't stay
And everywhere we go
(everywhere we go)
The sun won't always shine
(sun won't always shine)
But tomorrow will find a way
All the other times
We are beautiful no matter what they say
Yes, words won't bring us down
We are beautiful no matter what they say
Yes, words can't bring us down
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
Love to all!!! Please love someone who is lonely today!
.........Miss Ginger Grant
5 comments:
When I read that you thought I'd need a tissue for this one, I thought, "I think I'll be okay."
From now on, Miss G, I will trust your judgement, and get myself a tissue if you say I need one!
Bless that man, and bless those wonderful young ladies of the wait staff who showed their love, affection, and compassion for him. And thank you for sharing this touching moment with us.
{{Hugs}}
Beth
I can only hope and pray to find a love like that! Linda
What a great story, thanks for sharing it! I love that song too! Linda
Love you for sharing this. Dannelle
What a wonderful entry. I think that was a true love account :o)
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