In Corvallis for a week to wait out a school closure.

Spring is fickle here in the Northwest, sunshine comes in spurts and bursts between rain. That week we got lucky. Blue skies and big sun. Time was used up chopping wood, hauling gravel, long thoughtful talks and runs.

On one of these perfect days, I decided to swing by a friend's restaurant. It hasn't been open long. It's beautiful. The walls are exposed red brick, the tables and bar old salvaged wood and pictures of family all over the walls.

It was my second trip there. I hit the opening. I remember it being pretty good, but just that.

Being busy, I planned to rush in, order some take out, and rush out. This is a friend who has been constantly consistent with his kindness towards me - I needed to visit. He has spent hours on the phone listening and many days walking and exploring the woods around Corvallis. In all this time, I can't remember a single instance of him speaking ill about someone or being anything other than happy.

Ok back to the plan. 

Walk in. Order the ginger chicken bowl. Get ready to rush out.

My friend smiles at me and starts moving around the open air kitchen. I hang around the register and try to get the vibe from the other customers. It's the end of the lunch rush, things are slowing down.

But instead of bringing it to me, he motions towards the back. There is a table set for four. Me him, his wife and one other employee. I dig in and it is ridiculous. The ginger marinade is on point. It has happily become one with the chicken. It drips off the chicken down into the rice. I lose myself for a minute, I am DESTROYING this bowl.

And then over the next 45 minutes they just talk to me. It's not the normal "Oh how's going?", "What's new in Seattle?", "Dating anyone yet?".

Very earnestly they ask me about me. My peaks, valleys and Gael. During this whole time my friend stays locked in on me. In a lot of ways it felt selfish to receive such love and care, but at the same time... To cap it off he wouldn't let me pay for anything, not even the tea. Driving home I was wrecked a little bit.

I'm reading and meditating on kindness these days. It's an area where I want to improve. I am so abundantly spoiled by friends and family. I'm grateful for the examples,

DJ 

PS: Ba's Vietnamese Comfort Food in Albany Oregon