Some days are just like any one’s day.  After doing some grocery shopping and a visit to the hardware store you decide to take a break and go out for a little happy hour/dinner.  We chose a local place called the Red Fox Tavern at the historic Natural Bridge Hotel.  This time is also giving Calli a little time from her over bearing parents LOL.  We will typically just sit at the bar if it is available. We arrived at this little tavern and it was surprisingly empty.  We took our seats.  We met Jennifer our bartender extraordinaire.   We asked her about her specialty drinks and she proceeded to share that she had been a bartender for over 35 years and can pretty much make just about anything.  She also alerted us of some drink specials.  Some centered around the Kentucky Derby and others Star Wars. (May 4th…” may the 4^th be with you”). We did not partake in those but rather ordered our usual and an appetizer.  The menu was rather basic and not totally impressive, but not sure what we expected especially in this remote area.  Tables gradually started to fill up with guests from the hotel and others apparently locals. The TV in the corner was set to the basketball playoffs.  At this point Lin and I were the only patrons seated at the bar.  Then we were joined by a young man in his early 40” s who took a seat a few chairs down from us. He orders a shot of whiskey, water, and dinner for take-out.  The bartender and he were conversing as old friends, so we assumed that he too was local.  He shared with Jennifer that he buried his grand-daddy’s ashes today on the hill under his favorite tree. Based on their conversation he was 84 and apparently had a hard life, as well as he apparently was not a nice person. I looked his way and gave my condolences for his loss.  That was the intro to a very lively conversation. We covered things about his grand dad, sports, players, sports owners, athletes’ salaries, and Le Brons childish behavior on the court.  After quite some time, I realized I never asked his name.   He introduced himself as Marcus.  Marcus seemed very intelligent and a gregarious extravert.  Found out he was a veteran and a childhood athlete. His childhood saw him 3 daddies and a momma that worked very hard to raise and support her 3 kids.   After his military service, he went to college and attained a degree in Social Services.  But before he could pursue this career, he had to take time to go home and take care of his momma who had cancer and his granddaddy who was not doing well either.   His conversations took us to a lot of places.  He talked about his one true love and how he blew that opportunity because his ego got in the way. There was a pause of sad silence, regret.  He said he never again felt that deep sense of love and probably never would.   I changed things up and asked him what kind of work he did.  Marcus worked at the boy’s detention center helping them get right with themselves.  He made a great living at this apparently and did not really need for much. His job was very admirable and he seemed like the right person for the job. He apparently knew the pain of not really having his real father around for guidance and focus. 

 He asked Jennifer if he could buy us our next beverage and refused to take no for an answer.    Marcus then finished his drink, thanked us for the great conversation, grabbed his dinner and proceeded to leave.  On his way out I shook his hand and Lin gave him a quick hug.  After he left, Jennifer proceeded to tell us that he pretty much comes in once a week to get his one shot and take out. She proceeded to say that she knows him to be an honest guy and compassionate about life.  But now with his mom and granddad gone he will be alone now.   

Lin and I talked a bit about him and how we would not have met him if we had not decided to go to this little tavern.  Life seems funny that way sometimes.  What small every day experiences shape our lives.   We decided to ask Jennifer if we could leave a credit for his tab for the next week’s visit to thank him for the interesting evening.  She was happy to oblige.  We then thanked the bartender, paid our bill, and took our leave from the Red Fox tavern. I think there was a bit of silence between Lin and I on the way back.  Reflecting, we realize how great each day is and to try and engage with others you do not know in conversation. You may learn a thing or two, or even make a momentary friend.