It seems that I have always been rewarded for being me in a very public way, being proud of it and exhibiting great happiness in doing so.
This past Friday, after a wonderful afternoon and early evening, I headed home but couldn't call it a night just yet. I stopped at a restaurant I had been to before, but not in a while. The parking lot was packed, the outdoor patio full. I was wearing a white maxi sundress, spaghetti straps and pink accessories, including a hair bow and finger and toe nail polish. I parked myself at the crowded bar and ordered a glass of wine. Just one, a nightcap. There was activity all around me. I enjoyed my wine and asked for the check.
While waiting for my check a woman asked if the seat next to me was taken (it was not). We then made small talk while she waited for her husband. I gave the waitress the check and my credit card only to be informed my drink was taken care of by another patron. Sadly, she was gone so I could not thank her, but it was a woman across the bar there with her date or husband. I was floored! The woman seated next to me then offered to by me another drink if I would stay. I told her I would stay if I bought my own drink and ordered another glass of wine. What ensued was about an hour conversation with her and her husband. They were in town from Pittsburgh and we talked about everything, family, sports, concerts, you name it!
During this conversation one other bartender came up and recognized me from my work at The Cleveland Museum of Art and then informed me my second drink was on the house! Oh my! He and I talked quite a bit as well. Then from behind a lovely woman politely asked if I wouldn't mind if she told me how beautiful I was! Now I am by no means beautiful, but what girl doesn't love to hear that! I almost broke down in tears, the kindness of all was overwhelming.
So after my third glass of wine I bid my friends a farewell and she asked if I wouldn't mind a hug. Anyone who know me knows I am a hugger! I then also said good bye to my two new favorite bartenders, gave the one $20 for a $7 glass of wine and told her to keep it. I live for no other reason than to pay it forward and I felt compelled to do so on this evening.
So, what is the morale of the story here? The world is not a big scary place for those like myself. If you are smart, if you are appropriate, if you are confident and if you are visible, good things will indeed happen.
By the way, this was a 100% mainstream establishment.
Check out my blog and Flickr page for more stories like this!!