Just as a warning, this journal's a little mellow.

So, today at work, with about an hour left in my shift, a little old lady came in. Sometimes, you can just tell when someone is genuine...those few gems you come across during your shift that just make your day because they're so humble. She must've been in her 70's; old, yeah, but she was still full of life. I gave my simple, excited greeting to her, "Hello! How're you doing?" She came up to the counter and ordered three cookies and a small coffee. Looking over, I noticed that our pot of coffee had been sitting since the evening. It had been really slow since then, so I decided to go ahead and ask her to wait while I made a new one. She said it would be wonderful to have a fresh pot and gave me a little wink and a smile before she sat down.

She waited patiently as the coffee was being made, getting up as I was pouring it for her. I handed it off to her with a cream, two sugars, and a stir rod as she requested, and I told her to have a good night.

Well, not even a minute later she came back in. I could tell she was a little embarrassed to tell me that she'd accidentally spilled it as she was climbing into her car. We kinda laughed about it as I took the dripping cup from her with a smile. I poured her a new cup as she started explaining to me she'd been traveling. Being right off the highway, we get a lot of travelers, so I asked where she was coming from. "North Carolina," she said quietly with a long pause, "I'm coming back from a funeral." So, that explained her black clothes. It was then that the real world kinda came back into the situation, "Awww... Yeah.... I'll be attending one soon, myself," I explained, "I have to make a trip up to Chicago next week." I gave her the creams and sugars and told her to have a good night one last time before she said her goodbyes and walked out.

It's always funny how life comes in and interrupts things. Work, more or less, is my escape from my troubles...just a place to have something to do and to just get away. I try to have a good time, try to make others around me smile and have a good time as well. Looking back, I'm happy I was able to help that lady. She winked, she smiled...it's even possible I brought her the only smile and laughs she'd had all day. ...at least I'd like to believe I made a difference in her day.

But...at the same time...it brought me back from my bliss at work. I remembered my own problems...that I too have a funeral to go to next week. All this week I'd been hiding from the fact that my grandmother passed away. It's been hard. I know what it's like...me and her are going through the same thing...like we were in it together trying to make the best of a silly, late-night visit to McDonalds. I almost teared up.

If you've read this far, I thank you.

Take care, everyone.