Very Nice Lady Three

An ice cream social was held at work today in honor of St. Joseph’sDay. There were three very nice ladies who had volunteered their work time to serve ice cream and toppings to the rest of us.

Very nice lady one had vanilla all scooped out in a bowl waiting for me as I approached. It came with a smile.

Very nice lady two presented me with a dipper of strawberry syrup and a smile.

Very nice lady three was happy enough to squirt some whipped cream on top, but then was way-laid by a man who inquired of the special occasion from very nice lady one.

As very nice lady one began to answer, and between my whipped cream and cherry topper, very nice lady three became intent on answering the gentleman’s question from the far end of the assembly line.

I was immediately dismissed without a smile, my cherry almost hit the table instead of the whip cream, and I felt immediately dismissed as unworthy of her attention.

In one fell swoop, very nice lady three…
* made me feel small by ignoring me
* made very nice lady one feel small by speaking over her and putting her in a secondary position to her own authority on the matter
* destroyed the gentleman’s friendly banter with very nice lady one

As I walked the long hallways back to my office, I contemplated how many times in the past I may have unknowingly acted as very nice lady number three. I vowed to make every attempt not to be lady number three again.

And I also contemplated how many times I've felt small because that's what people do to each other naturally. Family members do it to each other, co-workers, church members to each other, and pretty much anywhere you go.

How refreshing it is to find someone, such as my darling husband, who goes out of his way, constantly, to make the persons around him feel very, very special. One at a time. How rare and precious that is. I think it's a sign of God inside.