We arrived at a local restaurant around 5 p.m., for an earlier than usual dinner on what promised to be another rain-drenched night. At this cozy and popular place, there is usually a hefty wait, but because of the early hour, we got a table immediately. Most of the tables were occupied already.
Some nights -- and I know you understand -- you want to hunker down at your table, no matter how close you are to your fellow diners...and pretend you're completely alone. After a long day at work, you might feel just done with people, and talking, being a little bit someone else you're not.
Tonight started feeling like one of those nights. But I noticed the older couple next to us -- a tall gentleman with a Vietnam War Veteran baseball cap, his wife clearly an aging hippie with fabulous crazy dyed red hair. They were finishing up paying, heading out and I told them they were smart to be heading home before the bad weather. We chatted for a few minutes about the weather, that it was getting dark so early, the slippery leaves. We were all smiling and enjoying the pleasant exchange, a model of civility.
Now come dessert and cappuccino time and the young couple to our other side is having an interesting conversation about white or red wine, red can give her a headache, their parents like dry red wines, what wine is like that on the wine list? Well. You know of course I had to oh-so-politely interject my recommendation (Storypoint Cabernet Sauvignon)....which lead to another incredibly light and delicious, erudite conversation about wine, sulfites, white vs. red, dry vs. fruity. Just a few wonderful minutes.
Connecting with the older and the younger. Politics, religion, any other subject prone to controversy never a consideration. If we can build a respectful, open community, a few minutes at a time, can we do it more of the time...all of the time?
Thank you, all of you brave veterans, for defending our freedom to express ourselves. Now let's express ourselves in a way that is equally honorable.
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