A Beautiful Stranger

My day started off slow and unproductive, but tonight was incredible.

I am so in love!  I'm so in love with my job!  I get to nourish and feed people with organic produce and herbal, natural supplements.  I am in my zone and enjoying my passions in life.  I am loving my coworkers and customers.  I have already met SO many beautiful souls.

I was doing my thing tonight with a genuine smile and love for everyone that was coming to the juice bar.  There were some super amazing people coming through my line.  I had conversations ranging from someone who had a passion for knowledge in general, to people skills, the purpose of life, life dreams and goals, family, illnesses, and the list goes on.

There was one gentleman in his late 50's or early 60's I would guess.  He was in with his daughters and/or granddaughters?  They were wanting some Gelato (ice cream).  I was giving them generous samples and really enjoying their presence.  I hooked them up with big, beautiful bowls of their favorite flavors.  The gentleman was telling me he wanted me to ring him up.  I explained that I hadn't been trained on the register and couldn't do that.  I pointed him over to a register and told him the cashier would take care of him.  He proceeded to tell me he wanted me to do it and I needed to walk over to the register with him.  So, I walked over with him to make him comfortable.  He owed the cashier $10 for the ice cream he purchased.  I told him thank you and headed back to the juice bar.  He followed me back to the juice bar and held his hand out in a fist.  He said he had something for me.  I advised him that we don't accept tips at this store but that the thought was enough... I was grateful he even wanted to tip me.  He insisted and said he was from Wyoming, so that didn't pertain to him and that I needed to hold out my hand.  I did.  The man tipped me $40!  I couldn't believe it!  He said I had the most positive attitude and was so helpful to his family...  he wanted me to have that.  He walked away swiftly and I stood there in awe.  Wow, this man just tipped me $40 and there were no strings attached.  He wasn't hitting on me and had no other intentions.  Wow.... so grateful and surprised.

I continued working and couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened.  I was cleaning and decided to take the trash to the bin outside of the store in the front of the building.  As I was headed that way, I ran into him and his family again.  I expressed how amazed, appreciative and grateful I was.  I told him he made my night.  He said he was really glad to hear that.  I also informed him that I was a single mama of six and that $40 was really going to be used for the family.  When he heard that, his face lit up and he said he was REALLY glad he did that and thanked me for telling him.

It was a mutual appreciation for the other.  We both walked away smiling and feeling grateful.  What a beautiful stranger.