Ran a load of laundry while unpacking bags and storing everything. As I was running a second load the cell phone rang and it was Bahram, again sorry for sleeping in (I didn't let the phone ring long enough, which is what he was expecting) telling me he was going to deliver and set up the little station. I guided him to my place via cell phone. The desk is small but will be useful until I can afford something a little larger. For the time being, the printer will have to remain atop a folding table, which is fine. At least, everything will be out of the living room and that's a real help.
Meanwhile, my cell phone rang again. This time is was my bosses, asking if I was at home and wondering if they could stop by...they had something to deliver!?!?! So, I guided them to the building as Bahram finished putting the PC station back together. They presented me with a gift and a card, and announcing that they had to get back to the restaurant they took off.
Bahram and I stared at one another and the card envelope for a few minutes, then he gave me a hug and he split, too.
Note: Bahram is straight, in his mid-twenties, from Turkmenistan, a good man with a huge heart, a bright man, great sense of humour, and great fun to work with. He loves high energy house music station on XM, which can sometimes drive me to distraction - playing the same 20 mixes all day long. The image above is of him on his first day tending bar at Dos Locos in April. He's a natural BS artist and perfect behind the bar. He doesn't think so, but he has been gathering a following on his shift-days at the bar, and I think he's finally beginning to notice. (As usual, click the image to embiggen.)
But I digress...
The gift is a new Microwave Oven. Stunned doesn't cover it, but it will have to do. The card reads;
"Thanks! For all the little extras you do, You do help make our lives much easier and efficient."
OK, now I'll admit that I do a few things that can be a real pain for the servers and the bosses, but I do them because it is such a pain for them. They are not in my job description, but doing them makes things more comfortable and efficient. I never gave them a second thought. Always being early allows for time to handle these things so I have time to get my regular chores done before the wait-staff arrive.
I just did them, didn't think anyone would notice and didn't care - as long as the tasks were completed/accomplished with as little stress as possible before we open the doors. You know, since my world fell apart 4 years ago I have learned to expect nothing, take nothing for granted. It is a better way to look at life.
Did I ever mention how much I love my job, the people I work for, and with? Oh, I have? Never mind.
I will now attempt to extricate the new appliance from its packaging without doing further damage to my hands and spine. Wish me luck!
And so it goes.
*
To borrow a line from the L'Oreal commercials: "You're worth it!"
ReplyDeleteAha! You've blown your cover as the sweetheart that you are! :)
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for having the work ethic that a lot of us were raised on: if something needs to be done, all pitch in and do it. Don't do the minimum just to get by. Etc.
*AND* kudos to your bosses and co-workers who recognize and reward that effort and ethic. They are a rare breed indeed these days.
Clearly your bosses value the contribution you make. You ARE worth it!
ReplyDeleteThose steps to your new digs would be a killer for me. I can't do stairs anymore. That's one of the reasons I moved to LSD and one floor living. That said, your location in downtown Gayberry is more than worth the occasional pain of climbing those stairs. Just think of all the Crazies you're missing on Rt. 1 everyday driving to and fro work. You have the life now. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're good. I knew that the first time I met you. I'm glad your bosses noticed and showed their appreciation to you by giving you a microwave. All too often in today's world the little "extras" go unnoticed. I'm glad you are appreciated. I know your bosses and co-workers appreciate you. BTW, what's with all the straight friends? Just saying.
ReplyDelete@Peter: I sometimes wish I had need of L'Oreal but being bald is much easier to deal with.;-)
ReplyDelete@Lem: The work ethic was ingrained in these guys by their parents, who set the example for what you wrote above.
@Hayward: Thanks for that compliment. I hope we get to meet some day and maybe share old family recipes. In fact, I hope to meet all of you (not you, Ron) someday.
@Ron: Helping me move and going up and down those steps made me appreciate you even more. I had no idea (until you told me after the fact) that stairs were a problem for you.
Also, the straight guys are from Eastern Europe, Russia, and South America and have no qualms about showing male to male affection. My being gay doesn't bother them in the least. One guy and his wife are trying to "fix me up with a date" if you can believe it.
I am starved for hugs and I relish them when they happen. Being a tactile person is a sometimes bothersome thing.
Thanks to you all for your comments and your friendship.
Coincidentally that is also one of the main reasons my neighbor Barbara moved to Delaware and one floor living, the stairs. I have no trouble walking on level surfaces but I don't know what it is with inclines and stairs. My legs get weaker each year. Also, our previous house was on a side of a hill. Not a level surface. I was encountering real problems. Thus is became imperative that I move to one floor living. Alas, old age is finally catching up with me.
ReplyDelete