Veteran's Day

Today started like any other work day.... early. It's 6am, and I dont feel like getting up. Gotta hurry though, it's going to be a busy day. It's Veteran's Day, and Chili's has been promoting our special offer of giving a free entree to all veterans and active military all day. I arrive late anyway, which furthers my irritation, I hate being late, even if it is only 7 minutes. Sigh... get the day started. My mind us busy... prep extra, finush this, don't forget that. The phone won't stop ringing, yes we are giving away food today, ugh stop calling. My irritation grows and then one of my cooks decides today is the day he will quit. Really?? This is the last thing I need! I find myself prepping and doing much more hands on work than I'm used to. Irritation growing, mind running in circles. Finally, I finish up the missing cooks work and get into the shift. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate Veterans, at least I thought I did, but right now, I am focused on my business. It's 11:30, and we are FULL, and on a wait! It's Thursday lunch, this is unheard of. I am running around doing everything. Running food, cleaning tables, adjusting checks etc. You name it, I was doing it. Me and my team are getting our butts kicked! But I am focused. On execution. Hot food, great service, clean dining room, happy team members. Stay calm, stay positive I keep telling myself. But we just keep getting busier and busier and there is SO much to do! I come in the kitchen as I hear my expo calling for a food runner."Runner please, table 25" she shouts.... I am the only person that hears her. I walk over, grab the cheeseburger she is holding, and I'm off to table 25. As I approach I see an elderly gentleman waiting patiently with his hands folded on the table. "I have your cheeseburger sir, no mustard right?" I say with every intention of dropping it off and hustling back to the kitchen. "I just want you to know that in the 65 years I have been out of the armyx this is only the third time I have reeived something on Veteran's day as a thank-you." Pause. Wait. Did he just say 65 years?!? Now, he has my attention. Within 60 seconds, I'm sitting at table 25, listening. I asked why he doesn't visit us more often and his response was "I don't like to eat alone." I am not generally an emotional person, but I felt the tears wellingvup in my eyes. Now, we are busy, and my team 'needs' me, but there is no way I'm getting up now. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to stay, but a fire in the kitchen would not have made me leave this man before his burger was gone. So, I stayed, for 45 minutes. And I enjoyed every second. His name is Frank, and he was in the Army. He served in World War II and was honorably discharged in 1945. I could tell you his life story, and he could tell you mine, but I'll keep that to myself. What I will tell you is Frank is hands down the most interesting and amazing person I have ever met in my life. He has lived through every era and has a story to share from each one. We found a mutual love for motown music and in particular, The Temptations. Frank told me stories about the city of Detroit that he knew growing up and we shared our hopes for its revival. I learned many lessons in 45 minutes from Frank. Number one being that it's the little things in life that make it worth living. And that people are God's greatest gift. I will forever hold Frank in my memory and heart. I hope that he will come visit me again (he promises he will) but the reality that my new friend is 87 years old is tough. I know in my heart our friendship can't last forever, I just hope it doesn't end today.