When a waitress is a God Wink....
Written Two years ago in 2018:
Thursday night I was a vendor at a pop-up fundraiser with East End Entrepreneurs at Roman Bistro. We were gathering to support a local non-profit called For Good Pittsburgh, who help lift girls and women in the Braddock community (and beyond).
The evening was lovely as there were great conversations with people about Arbonne, about their needs of new skincare or nutrition products. And even wonderful chats on yoga, connections I could help make and welcoming a woman new to Pittsburgh into my circle.
Yet the night ended in a way that I could not have prepared for. It ended with a conversation with the waitress. The waitress is knew, by taking a look at her, was older than I am, not sure by how much, but likely 10+ years. I offered he some samples I had of things in my bag that honestly, we don't even sell right now. I gave them as a gift of gratitude for helping so much throughout the night. I gave them as I knew they were note items she could purchase, that they came from my heart.
And for the first time in the night, she looked at my name tag. And she got that look that I have had many times in my life. That stumped, inquisitive, "How do I ask? Could there be a connection?" look. I broke the silence with my reply, " Yes. My last name is Arnheim, of Arnheim & Neely. Stuart Arnheim was my father, Stanley Arnheim was my grandfather."
The look in her eyes shifted. There was the shock, then the look of recalling memories of years gone by. "I wasn't always a waitress. I am a jeweler. My first store was in the Buhl Building. Your family were my landlords. They were great landlords. Great men."
Yes. They were. My father and grandfather were amazing men. And it is always a blessing when I get these moments to connect with them in this way. However, that was not all that happened. Our connection grew deeper.
"Where do you live now?" asked the waitress. "I live in Squirrel Hill with my mom in the Summerset at Frick development." I quickly learned that the waitress has good friends that also live there. She shared they spent 8 thanksgivings at their home, which is on the first street in our plan. Their boys grew up together. My mom, plays maj jong weekly with the waitress' friend! Small worlds.
I asked if she knew that this friend just recently lost her mother. The waitress new her! In fact note even CASUALLY but they used to spend Thanksgivings together for years! I was the conduit for two old friends reconnecting!
Thursday night I was a vendor at a pop-up fundraiser with East End Entrepreneurs at Roman Bistro. We were gathering to support a local non-profit called For Good Pittsburgh, who help lift girls and women in the Braddock community (and beyond).
The evening was lovely as there were great conversations with people about Arbonne, about their needs of new skincare or nutrition products. And even wonderful chats on yoga, connections I could help make and welcoming a woman new to Pittsburgh into my circle.
Yet the night ended in a way that I could not have prepared for. It ended with a conversation with the waitress. The waitress is knew, by taking a look at her, was older than I am, not sure by how much, but likely 10+ years. I offered he some samples I had of things in my bag that honestly, we don't even sell right now. I gave them as a gift of gratitude for helping so much throughout the night. I gave them as I knew they were note items she could purchase, that they came from my heart.
And for the first time in the night, she looked at my name tag. And she got that look that I have had many times in my life. That stumped, inquisitive, "How do I ask? Could there be a connection?" look. I broke the silence with my reply, " Yes. My last name is Arnheim, of Arnheim & Neely. Stuart Arnheim was my father, Stanley Arnheim was my grandfather."
The look in her eyes shifted. There was the shock, then the look of recalling memories of years gone by. "I wasn't always a waitress. I am a jeweler. My first store was in the Buhl Building. Your family were my landlords. They were great landlords. Great men."
Yes. They were. My father and grandfather were amazing men. And it is always a blessing when I get these moments to connect with them in this way. However, that was not all that happened. Our connection grew deeper.
"Where do you live now?" asked the waitress. "I live in Squirrel Hill with my mom in the Summerset at Frick development." I quickly learned that the waitress has good friends that also live there. She shared they spent 8 thanksgivings at their home, which is on the first street in our plan. Their boys grew up together. My mom, plays maj jong weekly with the waitress' friend! Small worlds.
I asked if she knew that this friend just recently lost her mother. The waitress new her! In fact note even CASUALLY but they used to spend Thanksgivings together for years! I was the conduit for two old friends reconnecting!
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