L.A. McLeod, California Artist & Writer
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Eyes to See the Difference

10/23/2021

36 Comments

 
Picture
Always on the alert for a bargain, I suggested my husband buy the pre-paid, discounted breakfast pass for the two days we were planning to stay at a mountain lodge.  

The first morning, we queued up at the counter, where the sullen hostess shoved a menu at us and blurted in a monotone, “You get a choice of breakfast, numbers one through five.  Which one do you want?”   When she glanced up to take our tickets, her eyes were dull and veiled, like the ocean when gray clouds dim its twinkling reflection.  

I looked at the menu and said, “I’ll take the omelet.  Can I get fruit instead of the fried potatoes with that?”

“No substitutions.”  

“Okay,” I said slowly. “Potatoes are fine.”

“What kind of bread do you want?”

“Bread?”

“For toast.”

“Oh, no bread, thanks.  Just the omelet and potatoes, please.  And coffee.  Can I get some juice, too?”

“Juice OR coffee.”

“Um, okay.  Just the coffee, then.”

After my husband had given her his order, she waved her hand at the half dozen empty tables and said, “Sit wherever you want.”  Then she stumped over to the coffee machine, poured a cup for my husband and me and brought it to us without a word. When our meals were ready, she plunked them unceremoniously on the table in front of us and returned to her chair behind the reception desk.  
 
“I hope we don’t get Ms. Sociable again,” I commented to my husband the next morning.  But sure enough, there she was. Treading carefully, I ordered the same meal as before—with no substitutions--and moved towards a table.  My husband paused, though, and asked her, “How’s your foot today?  It looks like it hurts.”  

I hadn’t even registered that she was wearing an orthopedic boot.   

That tiny glimmer of kindness was enough to ignite a sparkle in her eyes and illuminate her face as she responded, “Oh, thank you!  It’s not too bad. I landed wrong stepping off a ladder a few days ago, and I tried to get by as much as I could without the brace yesterday.”  

“That’s got to be tough,” my husband commiserated.  “You must be on your feet a lot in this job.” 

“I am, but it’s okay.  It doesn’t hurt too much till later in the day. My boss doesn’t mind if I sit down when I need to.”  

“Sounds like you have a good boss,” he replied. “Tell you what, we’ll sit right here at the first table, so you don’t have to go as far.  If we need anything we can just grab it ourselves.”  
 
“Oh thanks, I’m fine.  You guys can sit wherever you want.  Your food should be up in just a few minutes.” 

She set a cup of coffee on the table for each of us, then returned with glasses of orange juice.  When she brought my plate, I found not just the omelet and potatoes, but a slice of melon and a couple of little strawberries.

Sullen and grumpy?  Or hurting and barely hanging on?    
​
God, give me eyes of compassion to look for the difference.            
36 Comments
MaryAnn
10/24/2021 04:01:39 am

Wow! While I have often felt like your waitress, (hurting and hanging on) I'm sure I haven't thought to extend such consideration and grace to another. What a great reminder that everyone is probably dealing with something and that everything isn't always just about me. Thank you for sharing this and God bless your kind and caring husband!

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Leslie
10/24/2021 10:01:38 pm

"Not always about me," exactly right. Thanks, Maryann!

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Denise
10/24/2021 06:01:36 am

As i lay here recovering from knee replacement, boy can i relate to this. You simply just never ever know what others are dealing with. We tend to be so quick to judge someone by their mood. I just love this story and I could actually visualize him taking a second to validate her and what she was maybe feeling.
Thank you for your beautiful words. God surely has gifted you with the ability to bring words Alive

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Leslie
10/24/2021 10:02:59 pm

Oh gosh, I'm sorry to hear about your knee -- I bet you can relate to my limping waitress, huh? Can I bring you a casserole? 😉

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Takeo
10/24/2021 07:01:12 am

Thank you for that “daily bread.” I ask for
God’s forgiveness for my trespasses as I try to forgive others too.

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Leslie
10/24/2021 10:04:08 pm

Amen, Takeo.

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Julie
10/24/2021 07:23:35 am

Thank you for this simple yet profound story.

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Leslie McLeod
10/24/2021 10:04:36 pm

Thank you, Julie. Hope you're enjoying your new home!

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Pat
10/24/2021 01:10:11 pm

Wow, what a wonderful reminder of how powerful grace and compassion are. Thank you for sharing and encouraging all of us to show God's grace everyday.

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Leslie
10/24/2021 10:07:03 pm

Thanks, Pat! A small act of kindness can be like a light switch to brighten someone's lousy day...and it costs us nothing!

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Amy Lively link
10/24/2021 02:51:28 pm

Ouch! A painful reminder to be on the lookout for the hurt around me today.

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Leslie
10/24/2021 10:08:01 pm

I know you're always on the lookout, my friend. I'm trying to be, as well.

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John link
10/24/2021 06:22:27 pm

Great reminder that what we first judge may not be all there is to what is going on in someone's life! Lord give me compassion and grace for others instead of a critical spirit.

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Leslie
10/24/2021 10:09:05 pm

We just never know, do we?

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Carol L Lacorte
10/24/2021 07:02:54 pm

Another winner, Les. You made me tear up with this one. Thank you for sharing this story. We can all use a reminder that a little kindness can make someone's day. Love you!

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Leslie
10/24/2021 10:20:37 pm

Thank you, honey. It was pretty humbling. I saw just a cranky service worker; Dan saw a human being who needed a word of affirmation. The transformation of her countenance was beautiful...and so motivating to me!

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Paul Rudd
10/25/2021 02:26:51 am

Beautiful

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Leslie
10/25/2021 05:35:30 am

Thank you.

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Jennifer Serpan
10/25/2021 09:16:57 am

You have such a gift for writing! I enjoyed your piece and it’s such a good reminder that we never really know what’s going on with people…and to show kindness and empathy daily:)

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Leslie
10/25/2021 09:30:23 am

Thank you, Jennifer. Night Music looked happy when we visited on Saturday :)

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Bes
10/27/2021 07:22:24 pm

By day’s end, most of us are probably feeling more like the hurting waitress, I suspect.
We all need more of Jesus. Thank you, Les.

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Leslie
10/27/2021 07:49:09 pm

For sure. ❤

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Peggy Bodde link
11/3/2021 08:25:21 pm

Wow. That is eyeopening. Thank you for sharing this. A great reminder for me to see beyond what's on the surface and -- to remember the power of kindness.

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Leslie
11/4/2021 08:53:05 am

Yes, kindness is more powerful than we often realize, isn't it? You know that so well. :)

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Josephine
11/7/2021 11:32:14 pm

Awww, how sweet! I see it is good to have a companion, a kind kind. :)b

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Leslie
11/8/2021 08:17:14 am

Yes, he is a kind kind. The best kind :)

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Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm link
11/8/2021 04:21:49 am

Absolutely! Friday, a couple of men delivered my new stove and they were...not pleasant. We're all fighting some kind of battle; be kind. Show Jesus. Even when they stay grumpy and...not pleasant.

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Leslie
11/8/2021 08:22:21 am

Ugh! Sandra, I hear you. Grace to the grumpy runs so counter to our natural reactions, isn't it? Such a relief when someone sees through my grumpy moments and treats me kindly, too.

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Nancy
11/8/2021 06:24:07 am

We forget to really look at someone when we interact with them. We don't know their struggles because we are so wrapped up in our own. Putting ourselves aside for a few minutes and engaging someone not only makes that other person feel better, but we realize we also feel lighter. This made me remember to see more.

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Leslie
11/8/2021 08:24:25 am

Well said. We won't get it right every time, but just staying aware gives us a leg up, doesn't it?

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Lisa Cejka
11/8/2021 05:53:09 pm

What a beautiful story! This is such a great reminder that everyone has a story, and we all have the power and choice to be kind!

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Leslie
11/8/2021 07:10:40 pm

It's not always easy, is it? But always worth it!

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Cecilia Moreno
11/9/2021 07:35:15 am

Many times we think evil of a person who is rude or unkind to us. Gods word is true! In the book of Proverbs it says, a soft answer turns away wrath. This is truly a beautiful & gentile reminder.
Thank you
Cecilia

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Leslie
11/9/2021 05:44:50 pm

I'm glad the story spoke to your heart, Cecilia. Thank you ❤

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Nita link
11/11/2021 05:57:56 pm

I love this! There is always a why!

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Leslie
11/12/2021 08:02:12 am

Always, Nita!

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