after my session today, we decided to drive to orange to visit the store, room and board. on the way home, we got stuck in a huge traffic jam so we decided to stop at joe's crab shack for dinner in oceanside. we were seated by the hostess and then waited for a really long time before the wait staff figured out who was supposed to have our table. a couple other tables who sat after us got waited on before we did. needless to say, after being stuck in 40 minutes of not moving traffic with two toddlers, i was a bit frustrated (and the little ones were a bit restless). sky and ryder were pretty much acting their usual although maybe a bit more restless...an occasional scream, growl, loud squeal (i mean giggle) and some getting ups and downs. so when the first shout came out, i looked at the elderly couple next to us and whispered "sorry". we went on with our dinner, which happened to include an appetizer and dessert tonight. when we finished, the waiter came to us and said, "someone took care of your dinner. you're all set." at first, i thought it was joe's crab shack because we had sat so long before getting waited on but i knew his statement didn't fit with my assumption so i said, "you mean a customer?". and he said, "yes, someone here in this restaurant took care of your meal. they paid your bill for you. have a great night." looking around, i couldn't believe it...who would pick up our meal and why? so, i decided to write them a note (using a crayon on joe's crab shack paper towel napkins), which said, "thank you from the bottom of our hearts. thank you for your kindess and just know, we, too, will pass on the kindness". i gave the note to our waiter and asked if he could pass it on to whomever paid our bill. he said he couldn't because they just left...it was the elderly couple that was sitting next to us. (the elderly couple, who could have been really annoyed by my kids growls, shouts, giggles and getting up and down, but instead paid our bill.) the waiter read my note and i told him how thankful i was. he said, "yea, kind of like the oprah show". i walked away, holding back my tears of joy and thankfulness until i saw steve and then couldn't help it. of course, steve didn't really understand the tears but that's okay. i'm just so touched and so thankful to the core. i still can't believe that someone would pay our bill with absolutely not a thing expected in return. i just wish there was a way i could thank them. but maybe all they hoped for was that we would pass on a random act of kindness, in return...and that we will. wow. truly, i'm touched.

i've learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- maya angelou