I Was on the Edge of a Meltdown, Until I Met the Calm In the Storm

The chaotic frenzy of a small diner taught me a valuable lesson about the power of gratitude

Recently, my husband and I were getting ready to return home after a weekend business trip. After packing our bags and loading the car for the drive, we decided to check out the free breakfast included with the hotel room.

We found the basic “continental” selections — donuts, sweet rolls, and coffee — offered little in healthy choices, so we decided to take our chances on a diner we’d noticed a few blocks down the road.

As we walked toward the restaurant entrance, we noticed a young boy about 4-years-old sitting on the sidewalk, crying. Occasionally, he glanced up at his mother, trying to get her attention as she strapped his younger sibling into a car seat.

The more she ignored him, the louder he wailed.

We quickened our pace and walked inside. The diner was packed, with a noise level to match.

When we reached the hostess, I asked if she could seat us in a quiet location. The hint of a smile touched the corner of her lips as she handed two menus to a server, who led us to an end booth located across from the kitchen — and directly in front of the restrooms.

While we looked over the menu, the whining of three boisterous children a few tables down barely overpowered the booming speaker in the ceiling above us.

It was total chaos.

But instead of leaving, we decided to stay, hoping the restaurant would eventually quiet down.

Our server appeared — an attractive, twenty-something gal with pad and pencil at the ready.

“Hi, my name is Laura. What can I bring you?”

She smiled politely, seemingly unaffected by all the activity around her. I detected an accent in Laura’s speech, and asked her where she was from.

“Poland,” she replied. “I’ve been here for two years. It’s wonderful. I get to meet all kinds of people, and I’m learning more about this country every day. I’m so grateful to be here.”

Laura took our order, nodded her head, and disappeared into the kitchen.

As the children seated two booths away played drums on the table with silverware, we busied ourselves checking email and reviewing our schedule for the upcoming week.

Laura delivered our breakfast order, and while the food closely resembled our selections, let’s just say it fell short of our expectations.

The kitchen was obviously busy and the cooks were pushing out plates as quickly as possible. Our eggs were burned and my husband’s well-done English muffin hadn’t seen the inside of a toaster.

But with the constant slam of restroom doors behind us, and the building tempest of unhappy children a few booths down, we decided to make the best of it.

Laura continued checking in with us, offering comments about the weather and the local activities and attractions.

We chatted for a few minutes, then requested a pepper shaker. For a second, a flush of embarrassment brushed Laura’s face, followed by a quick apology. She quickly retrieved the shaker and asked if we there was anything else she could bring.

We told her we were set; she nodded and headed toward another table.

My husband had just ordered coffee to go when a busboy carrying a large tray of dishes collided with the double swinging doors leading to the kitchen.

With the piercing shatter of glass adding to the high-pitched cries erupting a few booths away, all eyes turned toward the sound and frantic activity of servers side-stepping the mess as they scrambled to deliver their orders and keep clear of debris.

Laura reappeared with coffee and a smile. She thanked us for the conversation, wished us safe travels, and left the bill.

It was time to go.

While my husband paid the check, I went to the restroom to wash up.

That’s when I saw it.

On the wall next to the towel dispenser, the manager had placed a framed collage of phrases and quotes.

This one caught my eye:

As we left, I let the manager know how nice our server was, and how much we appreciated her attention.

She nodded and said, “Oh yes, Laura is great, and very nice.”

Then the manager apologized for the noise level, saying she wished she’d had a quieter place to seat us.

I told her our booth was perfect.

Laura offered us an important lesson that morning. She chose to present a helpful, friendly presence in a frenzied atmosphere, and it reminded me of one the true tests of maturity and character . . .

She maintained a positive attitude when she had no control over external circumstances.

Laura’s personal performance was not affected by things she couldn’t change. Rising above the chaos, she focused her attention on her customers.

And by choosing to remain calm in the midst of the storm, she made everything happening around us seem less disruptive, less important.

Our experience at the diner was a little over two weeks ago, and yet, I can’t remember exactly what I ate for breakfast that morning.

But I won’t forget Laura, the young girl from Poland who is grateful to be here, and thankful every day for her wonderful job where she meets all kinds of people — a calm in the storm, reminding everyone she meets that a positive attitude creates a positive environment — and life.

© 2020 Jill Reid. All Rights Reserved.

Jill Reid is the author of Real Life: We breathe, We sleep, We eat … And in-between, We Live