Unexpected Kindness

 Hubby and I traveled to Arlington, TX, this past week and stayed in a hotel near Six Flags, The Hyatt Place located on 360.

This hotel is about to undergo a renovation. Despite needing one, it provided a comfortable stay.

The staff made us feel welcome. The morning lady at the front desk was friendly and helpful. So was the night lady on duty. We asked for the engineer to check our A/C unit, and this woman turned out to be Johnny-on-the-Spot available. She knew her stuff and fixed us up quickly. No grumpy attitudes here. Everyone seemed pleased to take care of our needs.

Like most hotels, this one provides a free breakfast. We enjoy a good first meal of the day, but most affordable hotels don’t produce a high-quality one. They serve bagels, pastries, boiled eggs, and oatmeal. 

The first morning I arrived at the Hyatt Place hotel’s buffet, my eyes feasted on a beautifully arranged display of tempting foods. Vivid colors and organization gave me a clear sense of freshness to the cuisine.  Spotless surfaces made the spread look inviting. Yum!

I chose a mixture of blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries. The chef surrounded these berries with an ample amount of juice. I lathered this red berry mixture with yogurt.  I don’t care for Greek yogurt, but the sweet berries made this one unforgettable, and I enjoyed every bite.

Arranged at the subsequent venue, I found a platter of assorted melons and grapes beckoning for my attention. I added those morsels as well. I really like ripe cantaloupes.

I set my bowl of fruit down on a table and returned to the buffet for a new plate. I like keeping foods separated.

Protein came next. I selected a flour tortilla and filled it with scrambled eggs, bacon bits, salsa, and cheese.  Link sausages winked at me from the following container. How could I resist one or two of those little critters? Well, you know, I couldn’t, and so I didn’t. I also added the breakfast potatoes. I’ll diet at home, right?

I set my taco down near the fruit and headed for the fresh coffee. Then, to the juice bar for apple juice.

Now I’m ready to indulge in a great feast, but I waited for my hubby.

He busied himself with choices. Hubby skipped the berries and yogurt and went for the taco, sausage links, potatoes, and then headed for the pastries. He added a bagel, cream cheese, and jams. 

We sat across from each other, held hands as we asked God to bless the food and the one who prepared it.

I think Hubby went back for seconds on several items while I savored my coffee. If a waffle maker had been on site, he would have made one.  If we had stayed long enough, I’m sure the chef would have had pancakes.  She prepared a different variety of choices each day so stay-over guests don't tire of the same thing. Hubby doesn’t get pastries at home, so he indulges in them while away. 

The next morning, my husband headed to the gym for his workout. While he exercised, I chose not to join him. I prefer to get dressed and do my makeup before seeing people. Once he finished walking two miles on the treadmill, we both made our way to the breakfast area together.

No sausage links today, but the chef had sliced ham.

Oh good! There’s a food I can skip. I thought this to myself.

I eat ham, but when so many other items are waiting for me, I’ll pick something else. This time, I chose crumbled chorizo sausage to accommodate my taco. The biscuits and gravy tempted me, but I didn’t yield. Can I get a pat on the back?

The chef came out each morning to make sure we had everything we wanted or needed. I complimented her on the beautiful presentation and told her how much I appreciated her organization and attention to detail. The yummy food is even more delicious when presented well, and I told her so. This lady loves her job, and it shows.

This beautiful woman and I became instant friends. On our last day there, she gave us a goodbye memento! Talk about surprise!

We’ve never had a hotel employee offer us a keepsake before, and I’m sure it will never happen again. This lady typically does not give gifts to hotel guests, but she made an exception for us. In our conversations, she discovered we are Christians. Her amazing gesture included some of our favorite Bible verses, and she knocked it out of the park with her selections. Hubby and I will return to this hotel because of her.

I’m sure hotel workers aren’t appreciated as much as they should be. It’s a hard job, folks! It can be a disgusting, unappreciated job! These workers don’t receive enough unexpected kindness, compliments, and gratitude gestures from consumers, so give them some!

When I offered her genuine compliments, I was sincere, and she didn’t expect them. 

This small act of kindness seemed to leave a positive impression on her. In return, she surprised us by expressing her gratitude with a thoughtful memento, leaving a lasting impression on us!

You never know where you’ll find new friends because of a smile, a compliment, or an act of unexpected kindness.

                     Gay's Author Page

 

 

 

Subtractions and Additions

 

In my hallway, I have two family pictures. I pass by them often, but I stopped and looked at them today. I stared until I grew tired of standing in one spot.

One photo is ten years old. The second one is two years old. There are eight years between the images, and they remind me of the changes in our lives.

With the dawn of 2026, I wonder what the new year might bring, let alone the next eight. There will be lots of modifications, and I won’t like all of them.

In the oldest picture, three family members are missing today. Two left Earth by death, and one exited by divorce. Everyone is smiling. We had no idea of the challenges to come to the eleven people in the photo. Thoughts of cancer, dementia, and death never occurred to us.

We are standing in a forest, and the trees provide a tranquil scene. As I gazed at the photo, the piney fragrance came wafting back to me. The day supplied happiness and laughter. Lots of food, too. My hubby and I presumed we’d shove off to glory before any of the others.

The future doesn’t always agree with our plans, does it?

Burying a child is not easy. Grieving with a daughter over the loss of a husband who walks out of her life isn’t fun either.

But God never promised humanity a trouble-free life. He promised to be with us in dark times. So, despite the shadows of the last eight years, we enjoyed sunshine, too.

In the newer photo, twelve people stand together. Four new members joined by marriage, and a new baby by birth. The four new members and the sweet baby bring happiness.

As I gazed at the framed photos, I also noticed other losses. Several members lost hair. One lady lost fifty pounds. Three teenagers lost their look of innocence. Several members knelt on their knees, but eight years later, they are standing. Knees lost their ability to bend.

Our bodies change with the years, and we don’t notice them until we look at old photos.

Losses will continue. So will additions. The primary addition I would like to see is that all my family add God to their lives. Some members walk with the Lord, and others do not.

We can’t see God in the photos. He lives in hearts.

If you are reading this and haven’t added God to your life. Do it now. He comforts during the dark days and gives hope for the subtractions and additions to come your way.

   Gay's Author Page

 

Knowing Jesus

 

Many Jews recognized Jesus from Nazareth, but none knew He’d been born in Bethlehem, the city of the promised Messiah. So, when He began telling them He was God’s Son, they thought He was a crazy person.

No need for Google. They had Him, the real McCoy right there with them. The real Jesus, that is.

The populous had the opportunity to begin a relationship with Jesus, but few chose to do so. His fame grew. He lived right there. People had the privilege of meeting Him in person.

Today, we see famous people play sports, act in movies, or sing in concerts. We admire them, but we don’t know them. We recognize who they are, but we don’t have a relationship with them.

Ahhh! Now you are getting the idea. You can know a lot about Jesus without having a connection with Him.

Jesus, the Son of God, wants to bond with all of us. If you haven’t hooked up with Him yet, do it now.  Ask Him to forgive you for sins and invite Him into your life. A new relationship will begin.

One you will never regret.

 

  Gay's Author Page