A Beautiful Thing - Storytime 01

Storytime!

I've always been a bit on the heavier side, and it's weird but I think I finally just figured out why:

Fast food restaurants.

Nearly every Saturday after classes at church, my mom, my sister and I would hop into the car and drive a little ways down the street to Harvey's, the place hamburgers come to be served. These day their marketing hasn't been so great and I can only assume it's because any "beef without the use of hormones" to be bragging about. But that's beside the point. This was back when the toughest decision of the week was choosing between a burger or a poutine. But strangely enough, it became the place I learned to decide what I want, and to summon the courage to talk to strangers.

Both skill in which I lack to this day, so maybe continuing on will be a problem.

After waiting in line, after looping on small pudgy bodies in and out of metal railings separating dining from concession, ordering our favourites, we'd take out seat right across from the drink machine and we'd talk. Sharing bits and forkfuls of cheese and gravy, we'd ramble about anything we wanted. Usually it was silly, usually it wasn't very memorable. We'd ask questions, my mom would answer them. Someone would run to get more ketchup. It pairs we'd go to the washroom.

Months and months of this, the lady behind the counter became a friendly face, sometimes she'd ive us coupons after seeing us after a week or two. The booth across from the drink machine, my mom told the story of how she and dad met. The light that came through the windows at that time of day became the most familiar thing in the world. This was where dad called me a wimp for no being able to ask for an extra fork, where my sisters and I got all our markers and colouring books from crayola promotions that didn't require happy meal sizes.

I got bigger and bigger, but so did my heart for a place called humanity.

It's been years since our last visit. Today, when lunch is a hastily consumed egg/raisin sandwich standing up outside the library doors as you hound a spot at a computer, it's difficult to truly appreciate just what you've been given. Cause we grew up. Meals with family are few and far between. Eating out's a pass time with friends (if you have them) and often I've not the time nor the means to make the plans.

It was a beautiful thing. But there will be more beautiful things. So it's ok to remember and regret, so long as you aren't looking back forever.

#alittlebitofrandom #storytime