Reach out and touch, somebody's hand

Traditions create the most amazing life experience.  My son is in the process of getting his confirmation. Today, his class was responsible for greeting the patrons, collecting the offerings, bringing up the offerings and passing out the bulletin.  The confirmation teacher/leader and two mother's, myself and my friend were proud at how mature the teens behaved. 


In our family, we hold hands with each other during mass, while praying the Our Father.  Tonight, five teenage boys and two girls held hands during the prayer.  The teacher was surprised by this gesture.  She thought it was endearing.  I asked her if she does it normally with her family and she said, "no."   I told her that last week my son did this with two of his friends during mass.  In a world where it is not cool for teenage boys to hold their friends hands, it is an accepted gesture of bonding while praying.


Last week, I asked him why they dropped holding hands so quickly.  He replied that his friends' hand was sweaty.  Ok, so the gesture was there and the teen boy tolerance level kicked in also.


"Reach out and touch, somebody's hand, make this world a better place, if you can...." Diana Ross

It's all about Attitude with a Capital A.

Two days in a row, my sister and I shopped at various stores.  Two days in a row, we saw employees, visibly hating their jobs. I can't imagine the wear and tear that such unhappiness would have on your body and mind. One employee was disturbed that I interrupted her stare into space to ask about a price check.  Clearly, she couldn't help me as she was too busy focusing on air.   I won't dwell on the negative, instead, I'll share what I saw and experienced at lunch.

My sisters and I met at the Cheesecake Factory for lunch.    As one of my sisters and I were walking in from the Mall side of the restaurant, we saw my oldest sister at the hostess station waving us in.  When we approached her, the hostess said, "Lunch for three sisters, follow me" with a huge smile.   She brought us to the table and proceeded to tell all of the waitstaff that we were "three sisters" having lunch, as if, "three sisters lunching" was a novel idea.  Her cheery approach made me comment to one of my sisters, "Did you hear what she said to the staff?  Three sisters having lunch." I said with a giggle.

Our waitress was adorable. She was patient and kind as we were engrossed in each others conversation, instead of the menu.  After our bill was paid, we continued to talk as if we were in one of our own homes. I often say that my sisters and I don't have to go anywhere special to bond, we just love to be together, any where, to talk.  Note: For those foodie lovers, we shared the mini artichoke hearts and the Thai lettuce Wrap.  Unfortunately, I never get to order the cheesecake as I am always too full from the lunch.

The waitress came over to fill our water glass.  I looked up and apologized for staying longer than we should have and told her that we would leave in just a minute.  She said that it was ok that we stayed, and I commented that she was losing out on a potential customer and tip.  She looked at  me with a smile and said, "That is the cutest thing I've heard.  No one has ever said that to me or cared. You can stay as long as you want."  With that sweet little comment, we were able to wrap-up our conversation.  My oldest sister gave our  deserving waitress an additional New Year's bonus for kindness.

It is the smallest gesture of kindness and a wonderful attitude that will get you far in life.

Share with me your snippet of people with a great attitude that has made your day.