Weird Christmas

Christmas day was weird as hell. I'm not a part of my birth family.  Not a part of my chosen family.

After I took the kids to their dad for the three hour allowed visit (but I was willing to give him the whole day for their sake)  I wandered town, lost.

Looked for a lonely Christmas lunch in a shut down town. Waffle House is never closed, but also never fails to upset my stomach.  So I passed. Same for IHOP. No reason to even try there.

Every brilliant idea I had (beer and nachos,  loaded baked potato and ice cream, roast beef sandwich and incredible curly fries with cheese sauce) was a non- starter.

I wound up at the movie theater.  Cried in the parking lot a little while.
When I finally got the nerve to go in, it felt a little like Disney World for more than one reason.  First,  it was crowded. Second, overpriced in food and attractions.  And finally, probably most important to me, there were smiling, patient "cast members" to deal with the crowds.

One stuck out in my mind.  A 20-something black guy (well, he presented as a guy,  so I feel somewhat safe in assuming his pronouns /tangent) was working the pizza counter. Movie theater pizza was the final choice - because I didn't want to keep looking for anything else. This guy... he kept a smile on his face despite working on Christmas.  Despite the ticketing system for his section failing.  His smile was infectious. And that is what I needed on a hard day.

Well... that and Star Wars.

I'm tempted to take a thank you card to the theater when I go back. In case he's there. To let him know that he made a difference.

I know I'm weird. But I think it's important for people to know when they do good for others.

Sometimes just a smile makes a difference.
Unless accompanied by a Kubrick stare.  Well... I suppose even a creepy uncomfortable difference is still a difference.
I digress...

Just.. well... try smiling in a non creepy way to be a positive change in someone.  Because you never know if that's exactly what they need that day.

Now smile!
C.D.

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