I spent 4 days back in the valley this past weekend. I drove the 200 miles to help out at the tea house where I used to work, hoping that if I work for free, I'd make enough in just tips to buy the kids something, anything, for Christmas. I went there without the money for gas to get home, so I guess you could say I went on faith. I believed that I'd make gas money, plus what I needed to give at church, and even enough to buy the kids at least one little thing each. It was either that or have them wake up to nothing from us Christmas morning. They've had to work harder in the last six months than any other time in their life. I didn't want them to go through a Christmas morning feeling unappreciated, so off I went.
The first day I got there was good. I was full of expectations for a busy few days. I met a new friend I would be serving with, the daughter of someone I know. I got to just ease into the night, watching TV with friends and relaxing. I stayed with my ex-boss and dear friend Debbie, and her husband Joe, and their 5 dogs, and 2 cats. Debbie was kind enough to give me the softest fleece sheets ever. They were so warm and comfortable that it made it really hard to get up and out of bed in the morning.
Thursday was a busy day and I made gas money pretty easily. Thursday night was the real Main Event. We hold about 50 to 60 people comfortably in the cafe. We had to serve a party of 80! It was 40 adults, 20 pre-teen girls, and another 20 kids that were about 7 and under. What a zoo! The people were all family, they said. They were all very polite and nice, but LOUD! They didn't sit so we couldn't get through the aisles, we couldn't keep up with their demands for more tea no matter how fast we went, and the kids broke store items, smashed a few glass things, and got food stains ground into the carpet. We didn't get to leave work til after 10 that night. I don't know that I ever put in a 10 to 10, 12-hour shift on my feet before! The pedometer on my cell phone said I walked 9 miles in that one day! I couldn't wait to get back under those fleece sheets!
Friday was supposed to be a good day to rest, only 2 parties of 3 on the books. I was moving pretty slow (for me) that morning. My legs were killing me, but you just suck it up and know it's all part of the job - a job that has to get done - so you do it. We had so many walk-ins that day that it ended up being a full, busy day. I didn't get to leave until a little after closing time, but I'd made not only gas money, but enough to tithe at church and buy gifts, so I went shopping Friday evening. I was able to get gifts for my household. I'd achieved my goal and still had a whole busy day to go. I was in between those sheets and asleep by 8:30.
Saturday was our Christmas Tea. We had carolers singing in the shop, 2 seatings of people, it was very organized, so I enjoyed it very much. I worked the first shift with one other server, then there were 3 of us on the second shift. I think we all did well. I made enough to get Adam's much-needed haircut before his job interview this week, and even managed to bring a little cash home. What a great weekend.
The highlight of my trip was Saturday night. We were all tired and short-tempered by the end of the weekend, but my friend Moni did something I never expected in a million years:
Last spring I found a charcoal drawing of a cowboy, sitting and praying, I think it's before riding in a rodeo, but with imagination it could've been before or after a long, hard day of work. I don't know why, but it just reminded me of my son Logan, at about age 20. You can't see his face, his head's down and all you see is the top of the angled hat. I can't explain it, but this one piece of art meant so much to me. At the time, we were losing our house so I didn't dare spend the money to buy it. It was in the shop next door to work, so I'd go visit it all the time. I took pictures of it wishing so badly I could bring it home. I never felt like that about anything material before.
After we moved, I'd still visit the picture when we came to the valley. One visit, I went to the shop and it was gone. I couldn't believe it! I was heartbroken. I felt so bad that I didn't buy it when I had the chance. Now it was gone forever. I asked the owner if someone bought it, she told me it had sold a while back.
Moni, my friend, the chef from work, had heard me talk about it. She knew I wanted it so she'd gone in and bought it for me for a Christmas gift. This would've been around June! She had to hold onto it for 6 months without giving away the surprise.
Saturday after work, Moni had me come outside where she pulled it out from behind her back. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! It was like being reunited with a relative (weird, I know, but I can't explain it). I burst into tears and hugged her. I couldn't stop crying for a long time. What a special, heartfelt gift. I don't think even she knew how special her gift was. It's going to hang over the fireplace. I watch Logan as he stares at it. He says he can't stop staring at it when he walks by it. It really is an amazing gift.
I'm blessed with such wonderful friends.
