I was having a very average, kind of low day so far, but something just happened that brightened it up.

As I was approaching my house after work, minding my own business, someone stopped me, calling my name.

I looked up, and it was one of my old employees from my time as a restaurant manager.

We worked together for just a bit over a year before I was transferred to a different site, and the last time I saw him was at his wedding in 2019. It turns out we're neighbors now.

We caught up about life, and as we were saying our goodbyes, I told him, "I'm so glad you recognized me because I was just in my own world, thank you" and his reply caught me off guard. He said:

"Of course I recognized you! You know J, you were always good to us, facing all that came your way for us but also strict when needed. You taught us so much. Managers like you are not easy to forget."

I’m still processing his words, especially considering it’s been five years since we last saw each other.

I guess we never truly know the influence we may have on other people's lives, but we know the influence others have on ours, and what we'd like to pass on to others.

So, this serves as yet another reminder to keep being kind, living up to our values and principles, and showing up.

Also, if I needed a sign to go back to restaurants, maybe this was it.

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#Grownostr