One of the daughters or perhaps, daughters-in-law, seemed very unhappy. She didn't eat. She didn't really converse with anyone.( I told Greg she looked familiar to me and I know I know her from somewhere. He said I was crazy- we were hours from home. Guess what? They were parked right beside us and had KY plates!). She seemed irritated with the children and the whole situation. I heard her murmur to the person I assumed to be her husband that "this is why she wasn't excited to go to the beach".
There was one young man, obviously a go-getter, who was trying to orchestrate everyone getting a seat, passing out meals and drinks and keeping te peace. He was up and down the whole time, checking on kids in the play area and getting things others needed.
Then there was the "grandmother". She came and sat down at the table of the non-enthusiastic daughter-in-law. She was chatting with two grandkids and possibly her son. Her husband walks up, a giant smile on his face, hands full of food/drinks and triumphantly hands her a cup.
She looks up and says, "what is this?"
He says, "it is your shake".
She immediately shakes her head adamantly and says, " I didn't order a shake. I ordered a yogurt parfait. Why in heavens would you think I'd ever order a shake?!" Her demeanor does not scream "no problem, I'll drink it anyway" but says, "why do I let him do anything? If I want it done right, I should do it myself!"
He hangs his head, his shoulders now stooped and the triumphant grin now gone from his face. Dejectedly, he turns with the shake in his hand.
A moment later, she appears to have realized what she's done and attempts to go get him saying she'd take care of it. It's too late. The damage was already done.
I was thinking over this situation after we got back in our car and a few things have stuck out to me.
1- Our words are powerful. Her snarkiness instantly changed him.
2- He was obviously trying to serve her. She obviously didn't see that.
3- How often do we let an act of kindness be overlooked because it wasn't exactly what we wanted? So what if it was a milkshake. Mistakes happen and how we respond says a lot about who we are! Sometimes it really just is true-- it is the thought that counts.
4- I need to be more grateful for my husband who does nice things for me all the time and not concentrate on the things that are undone.
5- If I was able to see how unhappy that young daughter in law was as a complete stranger, I'd say the family members were more than aware of her mood. I pray she finds happiness this week in spite of whatever was going on today.
6- Chick-Fil-A is insanely busy.
7- I LOVE them for having a play area.
8- We ( ahem, I) need to do a better job of embracing moments as they happen. Smile more. Play more. Let go a little more. Our kids (&spouses) will remember that no matter how "perfect" any moment, trip, birthday, or holiday turns out, we were there and we were PRESENT.
Cherish them. Cherish him (or her).
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