Everyone goes through times in there lives where they feel theyre lives are discouraging, right?
Unsatisfied with their lives, jobs, living environment, social life, realtionships, familys, the amount of money they make, the limits are basically endless. When most people get in this position, the usual good friend, coworker, mom, dad, or significant other usually says something along the lines of, "cheer up, things could be worse", or "things will get better in time". But about a month ago I had a bit of an usual experience that has since had a large impact on the way I look at things.
It wasnt your typical weekend at work, no bustling employees rushing around, no customers complaining that theyre food is piping hot when its clearly steaming.
Its an absolute hellhole outside.
Around noon, the snow started coming. By 2 pm, theyre was at least 2 inches down. I knew I had work at 5, but I also knew that chain resturants dont close unless there in an apocalypse outside, so I was basically doomed. I showed up in my uniform and donning rain boots, which never made it off my feet in the 3 hours that I was there.
I sat at the bar. The entire time. Not a SINGLE table came in.
Now, lets get to my friend. Very interesting character. I wouldnt say we were thick as thieves, but he has an uncanny ability to make me have verbal diarrhea and talk about things I normally dont discuss with anyone. He has a sweet demeanor and an uncanny ability to make me laugh over every sarcastic quip he can pull out. Sometimes I feel like he does it because he know Ill get it and nobody else will. Just the kind of friendship we have.
So were sitting there talking, an hour goes by, then two...now hes supposed to be finished working but by this time hes decided hes going to wait until im finished to help me clean off my car. I thought that was so sweet. By this time its nearly 7:30 and theres about a foot of snow down on the ground. My little baby toyota doesnt like the snow. We get outside and spend about 20 minutes cleaning the car off and warming up. It was also decided that the highway wasnt the way to go, so we hit the backroads.
I dont remember exactly what we were discussing, which now looking back on it is kind of perplexing. But I defintley know I was complaining about something. I was going into a rant, which normally doesnt end too pretty..I go on and on until im practically blue in the face, and then I could still talk about it.
I was literally mid-sentence..saying something along the lines of, "I just dont understand it, why the hell are some people like that?!"
All I heard for about 15 seconds was what I thought at that time, dead noise. Silence. At first I though oh god, this kid is terrified of me. Ive made him hate women. I could have just possibly made this poor guy a headcase. But instead, he looked right at me and responded simply with, "Sometimes, you just need to sit back and listen to the wind."
Not much huh? At the time I didnt think so. I just kind of pulled my usual yeah whatever, you dont know what your talking about kind of deal. But later that night as I was laying in bed I thought about it. Maybe he was right.
Next thing I know Im on my front porch, knee deep in snow in my trusty rain boots and hoodie.
At first, silence.
And then...much more.
Snow falling softly on branches, snow sloshing under late night drivers, trees swaying in the wind....squirrels jumping and playing in the night sky. This my friends, is perfection.
This is worth keeping my mouth shut. This is worth listening to.
