Sunday, October 19, 2008

Sunday Star


One day this week I was running errands. I try to do them all on one day so I don't waste time and gas. I drove through McDonalds to pick up a burger and coke. I know, I know. Not healthy. But fast! And cheap - $1 hamburger and $1 coke can tide me over for several hours. As I gave my order to the faceless voice I noticed that this voice was clear and articulate and, well, happy. So many times it's beyond difficult to understand what the faceless voice is saying and rarely do you ever hear any vestige of happy. Sometimes they talk so fast it sounds like a language I've never heard and certainly can't comprehend. But this voice was pleasant and made me wonder who went with it. When I arrived at the window (the first window because for some reason they can't take your money and give you food at the same window any more - I'm not sure why) the lady taking orders, and money, had the most beautiful smile and you could just see happy in her eyes. I guess that's why I heard it in her voice - it sort of spilled over from that smile. She was a spot of joy in my harried day. I know that working at McDonalds is not my idea of fun and I doubt it's anyone's idea of what they want to do all of their life. But this woman was middle aged (no I don't know what middle aged is but it's less than my age which is 62 but older than my daughter's age, which is 43, or at least that's my definition and don't you wonder what I'll think it is when I'm 80 because I don't believe my children could ever be middle aged!) and working at McDonalds and she was making the very best of where she was and what she was doing. She put on a happy smile, greeted me warmly and wished me a good day. Like she meant it. She's my Sunday Star - and I hope that every time I go to that McDonalds she's the one I get to talk to.

15 comments:

  1. Hooray for your Sunday Star! She sounds like a woman after my own heart!

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  2. I'm so glad you started the Sunday Star, love reading happy or good news.
    Hugs,
    Bonnie

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  3. It was nice to start my day with a happy story, Marlene.

    I wish your "Sunday Star" could read your story. Thank you for sharing her with us.

    Sincerely,

    Janie

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  4. Yes, happiness sure can change your whole outlook on whatever situation you are in. Thanks for sharing!
    Michelle

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  5. Hi Marlene
    what a nice story about the ladyat Macdonalds. I have a friend who is like that too. I can hear her smile when I talk toher on the phone. What a pleasnater wotld it would be if more of us chose to have that happy attitude despite the circunstances.
    Hugs, Rhondi

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  6. Wonderful story...a great way to start my morning. Thanks for that.

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  7. I stopped at a fast food resturant this week and the voice on the other end sounded like a New Yorker/Jersey girl. My midwestern curosity got the best of me so I asked her where she was from and she said New York. We don't hear that accent in rural Indiana too often.

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  8. I love to run into folks like that-they truly brighten the world!

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  9. It costs nothing to smile and be nice...and it sure makes for a lovely day for someone who may have been feeling a bit down...
    Lets have more smiles!
    and be an every day star..

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  10. It makes the day SO MUCH better when people are nice...I don't understand why everyone can't be friendly. By the way...I loved your previous post about the reunion and only skinny people having wrinkles!!

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  11. SOme people are just great at making the best of any situation. I bet she is a people person and love interacting. Great shining star!

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  12. How nice of her to be so pleasant and cheerful.... and how nice of you to notice and appreciate her.

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  13. I know what you mean about the faceless voice and the foriegn speech. I went through a drive through last Friday and had to ask for a repeat twice of the amount. All I heard was 47, I didn't know if she was asking me a question or what.
    I love people and I think I would be friendlier and more cheerful if I were greeting them. I don't believe the employers are looking for that quality when the hire. I noticed years back that clerks in stores all but ignored you and sometimes talked on the phone or to another clerk while you're there. Some of this discourteous attitude falls back on the parents, I believe.
    I guess I'd say middle age is 35 since we were only promised about 70 years in the Bible. 3 score and 10!
    Mama Bear

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  14. I put myself through college working at McDonald's and Wendy's....I think the happy comes from enjoying your life regardless of what you're doing. They used to teach us in school to always smile when talking on the phone and your voice would sound happy...McD's needs to incorporate that lesson into their orientation. :-)

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