Chicken Tenders and Tender Mercies.

Love can be found in the most random places.  Sometimes it can even surprise you at KFC, which is where I found it tonight.  Allow me to elaborate.

Jason is out of town for a couple of days, and one way that I cope with him being gone is going out to eat once during the time he is away.  Tonight was the night.  Of course I don't want to take the kids anywhere nice.  But we're trying to stay away from fast food.  So we drove around for a few minutes, thinking, thinking.  Owen asked, "What's that place over there?" and pointed to KFC.  We'd never been there, so I thought we could try it out, though it is not my first choice. (Sorry, Kate.)  My intention was to stay in the car, drive through, and eat at home since it's too cold for a park.  However, when we pulled up to the window, I had absolutely no idea what to order or what anything on the menu was since we hadn't been there in recent memory.  So I ended up pulling through the drive-up and parking so we could go inside.

The kids were oh-so-excited about their laptop meals.  It took forever to order, and by the time I had finished, there was a massive line behind us.  I felt like I was holding up the world, though it wasn't really my fault; the cashier girl was just very... thorough.  

As I ordered, Jake started crying out about dying of thirst, so I held him while I finished, and then carried him and sleeping Finn (in his car seat) to a table.  I felt so many eyes on us as I lugged the kids across the place.  Not  mean eyes, but eyes nonetheless. 

The kids had beautiful behavior for a full 10 minutes or so.  Then things began to unravel, as they always do.  Jake fell off his tall chair.  His wailing woke up Finn who joined the chorus. Owen was asking over and over how to figure out the word games on his laptop meal, while I tried to console Jake, shovel food in Finn's mouth, and clean up our mess.  I just wanted to get out of there so bad.  I remained pretty calm outwardly, but inside I was raging.  In those situations, I wonder if people think any of the following:

a.  She obviously has too many kids.  

b.  She has no control over her kids. 

c.  Why on earth did she bring all those kids to dinner by herself?

d.  When are they leaving?

Maybe they were thinking all of the above.  I just threw everything in the garbage can and picked up Finn, ready to run, when an older man walked up to me and touched my arm.  (Here is where I get really emotional, just remembering his face.)

He said, "I just want to tell you that you are doing a good job." He patted my arm and really looked into  my eyes as he said it.  "Look at these good boys!" he laughed, "Hello boys!"

Bennett and Jake said hello, and Owen stepped behind me.

"Well, I always know when it's time to go," I said, my eyes almost-- ALMOST filling with tears, "We always make a memorable exit."

"Oh no," he said, "You just enjoy this.  You are doing a wonderful job.  It just takes me back, and I had to come over here and tell you how I admire you."

I thanked him sincerely and told him goodbye before heading out the door to cry.  My heart was over-flowing.  Seriously, who was this guy?  An angel?  Really, I think he was.

I smiled at my boys, now happy and darling again.  I was astonished at the 180 my attitude had taken.  Of course as soon as I opened the door, the boys ran out across the parking lot like I had never taught them a single word about cars and safety, and I got a crusty look from an old lady backing out.  

It seems like a dream when I think about that man saying the things that I needed to be told.  I am so glad Owen wanted to go to KFC.  Good choice, Owen.  Angels eat at KFC.