Monday, August 18, 2008

I believe in Humanity

So, what to say....this has been a crazy month. Thank you to all of my friends and family who have helped me get through it. I feel like as things are difficult in my life it makes me more able to open my eyes to others and believe that humanity is alive. Some things that have happened in the last few weeks have really made me think.

Braeden and I went to Dairy Queen and somehow missed the tiny homemade sign that was half- way attached to the door saying that the credit/debit card machines were down. I never carry cash. We ordered and then they told me their machines might not work. They tried my card a few times and it wouldn't work. Braeden was having a really bad week. I told the long haired, sixteen-year-old that I didn't have any cash and would have to come back some other time. Braeden was in tears. Long haired sixteen-year-old turned to me and said hold on and pulled out cash from HIS wallet. He said don't worry about it, I'll cover it. I refused and he asked if he could at least pay for Braeden's. I said no way but we would come back. Honestly I was so shocked that instead of just going home and coming another day like I was planning on, I drove home, scrounged up some cash and went back to get Braeden his treats. Braeden gave the guy a post card that said "thanks for being so nice." This coming from an age group that I honestly have NO expectations from whatsoever. Most people working fast food don't even pay the food they eat while working. At best, I might be able to see an employee (who isn't a sixteen-year-old skater boy) just offering to comp it (on the company of course) but never pay for it with their own money. Wow. Just wow.

Sometimes my job is really lonely. The people I interact with on a regular basis aren't usually that interested in seeing me because I am just another annoying part of their job that gets in the way of getting real stuff done. I pretend like it doesn't hurt my feelings and that it doesn't matter that I have been in their store to speak to them 28 times in the last year and the first thing out of my mouth still is "Mica with i-wireless". Usually they know me (not my name...just phone girl), but sometimes they still look confused about who I am. One woman at a particular store who I have had to work with about some issues with employee theft came up to me and gave me a big hug and said she is always so happy to see me when I come in. Ok, I'm not going to lie that it was a little weird. I'm also not going to lie that it made me feel good that someone cares just a little bit at work. That if I someday just quit going it might matter a little bit.

So thank you for reminding me that I believe in humanity.

2 comments:

Lady Carolyn said...

Wow. That's a nice teenager. I hope my kids end up something like that.

macbezz said...

As for me I'm more of a misanthrope.