The MATCH Box

I came up from Mexico for a week for a friends wedding in Yosemite. Yesterday I was at Pieology with some friends, but I didn’t get a pizza to save money.  Soon pizza’s were out and being chewed.  A few pieces were given to me by selfless hands, which only increased my appetite, so when Cam asked if I wanted to split another one, I couldn’t resist.  We didn’t know what that decision would lead to.  

We went through line asking for one whole wheat crusted pizza.  The pizza girl started buttering a white one.  “Oh, we just wanted one whole wheat.”  She sighed and started to toss the pizza.  “Wait, are you going to throw it?”  “Could we have it?”  “Raw?”  She asked.  As we were trying to figure out how beneficial that would be to our diet, the manager came over and said quietly, “ah, I’ll make you guys some garlic strips.”  So when we returned to our table we had strips to share, on the tab of the manager’s generosity.  

It was Chelsea’s birthday, so we wanted candles to stick in the pizza.  I went to the counter to ask, but the search revealed a lack of candles in the pizza shop.  I went back to ask for matches as a substitute, but again, no luck, not even a lighter.  The manager picked up on what was happening, and said, “I’ll go grab some for you guys at the gas station.”  The group was starting to get blown away by all these things coming to us.  She came back with matches and we explained it was for a birthday.  “Oh! I’ll go get you guys some brownies from the special stash in the back!”  Jaws were dropped.  

So as a thank you we gathered 20 dollars, and stuck it in the match box with a note we all signed telling her to buy something special for her workers.  We left hearts warmed, but that wasn’t the end.  

As we stood by the car.  Clarissa came out gushing over.  “Thank you guys so much!”  She told us of her life passion to open a health-conscious restaurant, and how this job was the perfect stepping stone for her.   But this last week had been really difficult for her, causing her to doubt her path.  So this came at just the right time, it reminded her of her passion.  As I watched her through the window later, she was exploding with happiness.  Interacting with her employees as a whole new person.  My hearts smiled, reminded of the potential impact we can have on others lives.