Christmas is a time when many of us take a break from the stresses and worries of our everyday lives and focus, even for a moment, on the better things in life. The smile of a child, the smell of a fresh wreath, the comfort of family and friends, the generosity of strangers. And so shall I take a break from my everyday posts about buying a home on Cape Cod and focus for a moment on one of those things.
A couple of nights ago, I had dinner with a friend at the Impudent Oyster in Chatham. We sat at the bottom of the U-shaped bar which was very quiet, as one would expect on a Monday night in early December. A friendly man, possibly in his 40’s, was dining perpendicular to the right of us, and two lovely silver-haired ladies were perpendicular to our left. The ladies were clearly enjoying their dinner and evening together, and the man was engaged in conversation with our female bartender (who happens to be terrific). My friend and I were busy discussing the particulars of our day.
First to leave was the friendly man, who after some whispering with the bartender, paid his bill and left. The ladies were next, and began to put on their coats. When they asked the bartender for the bill, she informed them that the gentleman sitting across from them insisted on paying for their dinners and drinks. Needless to say, they were speechless. Delighted. Astounded. And speechless. They did not know the man. They had no idea why he had paid their bill. And when their speech returned, they could only repeat how they wished they could have thanked him. They left the restaurant giddy as schoolgirls and feeling like a million bucks.
The incident reminded me of the infamous editorial from 1897:
“Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.”
Wishing you all a little magic this Christmas.
Marie