Some days when I’m hungry I’ll go right down the street
to eat. A filling meal seasoned with
extra-extra-cilantro and a friendly staff always make the visit worthwhile.
“Hey, lady!” he called when I walked through the doors. “What would you like today?”
I always recognize him when I visit. He is one of the few men I’ve met out who
doesn’t creep me out. As I think of him
now, I wonder if maybe he has a daughter of which I remind him. His accent is maybe Spanish, or
Cuban, or even maybe something else. There is always a kind smile on his
face, and the term “lady” is used by him endearingly. He doesn’t know my name, but he recognizes me.
As he builds my burrito, we laugh about the weather and
my gracious serving of cilantro. I wish
him a great weekend, and as I continue to the register I think nothing of our
interaction.
It is when I’m readying my to-go-salsa cups that he
approaches me quickly, covertly, and hides a small thing of queso in my
to-go-bag.
“This is for you.”
He walked away quietly, and I manage to utter, “Thank
you.” Partly quiet, because I’m not sure
that action wouldn’t have cost him a demerit, but more because I’m surprised. Simple actions can affect people in great
ways.
I’m not crazy about queso from Moe’s, but I will tell you,
today I looked at this small sampling of kindness as if it were a 4 carat
diamond. I felt honored.
People need to be appreciated. People need kindness. And people are rarely treated this way.
Thank you. Thank you for being kind to me. Thank you for noticing me. Thank you for treating me more than just
someone who works a low-paying job.
Thank you for looking at me as if I deserve respect. Thank you for looking at me as if I’m special…as
if I’m worth being cared about…as if what I do matters. Thank you for appreciating me. Thank you for smiling at me. Thank you for being willing to love me.
This is what that queso said to me.
And though he may have very well not thought any of that,
I would argue.
I would argue that these were his thoughts, because these
are the exact same thoughts I have when someone does something kind to me or
for me. I never feel more loved than
in those moments of gracious compassion. It is
always a blessing. And it is these acts that I tend to remember the most.
Don’t brush off a small act of kindness, for there is no
such thing as slight when it comes to compassion.
