Note: My Real Memoir will return next week. Meanwhile, here’s a (non-chronological) memoir moment.
All I wanted from our server was for him to tell us what the specials were, to make a few recommendations, and then bring us our food, quickly and “hotly.” Instead, he seemed offended at everything, recommended nothing—except that we go someplace else—and then brought us the wrong food, slowly and “coldly.” When I complained, he said he’d had it with my attitude. Ahem, my attitude?
A few months later, I told our new roommate my “waiter from hell” story, thinking it might serve as an icebreaker. It didn’t. Dave paid his rent on time, did his dishes, and respected the house rules. And in return, all he asked was to not be probed with personal questions like, “Hello.”
When someone is moody, I have to know why. It was probably equal parts snoopiness and compassion, but whatever it was, I kept at it. Finally, Dave went off like a landmine. All he’d wanted was to be left alone, he said. He’d had it with my attitude. My attitude?
Wait…
I knew he’d looked familiar when we interviewed him. He was the waiter from hell!
The next day, he told me he’d be moving out. A radioactive fog settled over the apartment (our other roommate Allen hid out at his girlfriend’s house). And then, figuring he had nothing to lose since he’d never see me again, Dave told me his life story. He had two kids…and a wife who’d left him for his best friend just months before he moved in with us, right about the time he turned into the waiter from…no, wait, make that the waiter who was going through hell. Every day was like sliding down a razorblade. The only thing that kept him going was his ragged faith. So we prayed together.
Dave never moved out. He did begin to talk, though. And laugh. And live. And somehow he became one of my dearest friends (he was a member of my wedding party). Forty years later, he’s still my friend. Dave and I pushed each other beyond ourselves and closer to our Creator.
When another friend mentioned how hard it is not only to forgive but to “forget” offenses, it suddenly struck me that there’s something better than forgetting: redemption. I met Dave under the worst circumstances, and yet those circumstances formed the unique basis for a lifelong friendship. As a result, that memory has been completely transformed. It has been redeemed. It has become…
My waiter from heaven story.
Mitch
An absolutely great story. Friendships can form in many ways.
Thanks for sharing and have a healthy and happy New Year! Brad
Thank you, Brad, you too!
We don’t know someone’s story. Wonderful message, Mitch! God bless and happy New Year!
Likewise, Nancy!
A great story, and you tell it very well!
Aw, thank you, my friend.
Well told, I assumed it was headed there.
Thanks, Mark.
An excellent message Mitch! I hope you are warm and safe in snowy Cincinnati!
We are, thanks, Julie, but a bit snowbound. You?
Lesson learned! Workers in the service industries have tough jobs and sometimes they have bad days, weeks, or lives. Then they have to deal with customers who may also be having a bad day-or just people who are flat out rude. I loved your happy ending! :).
Che bella storia di incontro e di umanità, l’incontro con l’altro può cambiare la vita.
Grande! ❤️🐈⬛
Amen e gracie, Gatta.
❤️🐈⬛
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending”–C. S. Lewis. That’s what you and Dave did. A miracle, really, thanks to God!
Amen, Nancy.
Quite the remarkable coincidence!
Indeed. And for a reason, I suspect.
That’s a good story. The many things you don’t know.
Thanks, Thomas.
I remember this story, Mitch. I think we’ve all come across those people. Sometimes we ARE those people. Remember when I was “THAT Passenger” (When my dad was dying)?
http://seekingdivineperspective.com/2019/06/07/that-passenger/
<3
Love this story, Mitch. There is definitely a very practical lesson to be learned that can make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others going through hard times.
Thank you, Diane.
Amazing story.
Thanks, Danny.
Pretty Interesting Memoir there. Really enjoyed reading it
Thank you, AE.
The diggers usually win in the end. Good one, Mitch.
Thanks, Phil.
Wonderful story and happy ending. Thank you for sharing, Mitch.
My privilege, Iman.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Vickie!
That is a great story. I think we take things too personally without giving grace to someone, who’s life we know nothing about and judge them by the first impression.
Good thing that God doesn’t see us that way.
Why did Jesus say to forgive 70×7 times?
When real forgiveness happens, there aren’t 1, 2, 3 or 490 times, there are 0 times.
Again great story. blessings.
Thank you, Pete.
Absolutely love it! Thank you sharing, Mitch. Provocative and funny.
So glad you enjoyed it, San.
That’s why we should always be nice because we never know what someone is going through.
So true, Janice.
What a great story of unexpected friendship! And forgiveness.
Thanks, Peggy.