The holidays are a time of reflection and hope. And when you are enduring a long drive to visit family out of state, your mind tends to reflect…a lot. As I pulled off the highway for a mid-morning snack, I thought of the various holidays seasons over the years that brought me to that very moment in time…in the drive-thru lane at my favorite spot for a yummy Cajun chicken biscuit.
Without any expectation of celebration or applause, while sitting in my car as it inched forward upon every fulfilled order, I realized that 2021 marked my 20th holiday season working a “real” job. Yeah, I had helped with my occasional “lemonade stand” as a young child; but 20 years ago, I began my first “show up on time” and get paid with a regular paycheck “real” job. I was working in retail at my local mall. My responsibilities included organizing the clothes, hanging up signs advertising the latest sale, and constantly smiling at every customer. During my 15-minute food break, I would intentionally not smile to give my cheeks a break. The holiday season was particularly rough because the store was busier, customers became more demanding, and the signs had to be switched out twice as often. And do not get me started about the “extended holiday hours.” I spent enough time in a mall to last a lifetime.
In the holiday seasons that followed, I would also work as a cashier at a café and various positions at a local restaurant. As I transitioned into college, I worked at an IT help desk and taught dance. Regardless of the job or position though, I witnessed how the holiday season brought a lot of joy and hope alongside a lot of stress and exhaustion. I absolutely enjoyed helping parents pick out gifts for their children, but I also could have gone without staying at the store until midnight to switch out yet another sign when I had to be in class at 8:00a.m. But hey, “you gotta do what you gotta do” to reach that next rung on the ladder.
Jolting back into the present (yes, I was still in the drive-thru lane), I recognized that my younger self could relate to this young lady that took my order and who would be waiting at the window. She had her own story and her own ladder she was venturing up…or at least glaring at. I never got her name and I ultimately saw her face for only a moment, but I could sense that fulfilling my order was probably not her preferred activity on this very day – Christmas Eve.
I knew she was getting paid for a job, I knew her shift would end at some point, and I knew she was excited for the holiday as she wore green and red with bells around her neck. I also knew that it is the small things that sometimes make all the difference in overcoming the stress and exhaustion of the holiday season, especially when working in the food industry on Christmas Eve. I took the extra moments to dig through my bag and find what I needed: A gift card. I always keep a supply on hand for such “inspired” moments.
As I handed over my credit card and collected my order, I actually got excited with the anticipation. I quickly confirmed that she liked the related shop and handed over the gift card. In response, I received a genuine smile and soft-spoken “thank you” – ultimately my favorite gift of the season.
I hope that your holiday season is filled with warmth, joy and reflection, and may 2022 bring an even brighter future for us all!
Written by: Theresa E. Viera
