Image created by ChatGPT 7.17.2026
I walked through the doors
With life furrowing my brows and clouding my thoughts
And immediately became aware of the light within this space
It was a light created by love and decency and kindness for all humanity
I looked around and saw light everywhere
I could even feel the warmth of its glow
My ears confirmed what my eyes saw
And so I decided to tune in
To take it all in
To download and remember
The smiles
The thank yous and you’re welcomes
The referring to returning customers by name
The warm greeting and acknowledgment of each person who entered the space
The intentionality of service
The interactions between customers of various ages, genders, races, and ethnicities
The equal treatment- all honored and served - of customers regardless of their attire
The casual yet intimate conversation of strangers:
“Yeah, I just came from cutting grass. I cut my son’s grass. He’s out working in Florida- being a blessing to others. So I figured, why not bless him? So I cut his grass and am bringing Waffle House home for breakfast,” an older white gentleman shares with the middle-aged, Spanish-speaking woman sitting next to me.
A smile spread across my heart and face as I listened
And heard the love this man had for his son and wife, how proud he was of his son’s giving heart
And I smiled as the lady politely listened
I glanced up and scanned the tables
So many different shades of nudes and earth tones
So many different ages
People dressed for different activities
Smiles and laughter exchanged between colleagues
Banter between a staff member and a customer
I recognized that I had stepped into a special place
A community of lights
So for the few minutes it took for three waffles to be prepared
I sat and soaked in all the love and light and kindness around me
Stored it in my heart and memory
And placed it here in this, my landing space
To be remembered and cherished