Inspirational Dedication

Ming and I have been blessed and extremely lucky to meet many lovely and sweet people whenever we travel.

This trip to Miami was no exception.

At our best meal so far, at Joe's Stone Crabs, we met another lovely person, who is as inspirational for his dedication to his work as he was attentive and sweet.

Yes, I am talking about Nat, the waiter who served us at Joe's.

Of the 20 - 30 waitering staff on duty that night, Nat was assigned to serve our table.

If anyone doesn't believe in God by now... BELIEVE NOW... for only through divine intervention could this have happened... the odds for sheer coincidence way too low.

Anyways... i digress.

As I was saying right at the start, Nat is an inspiration.

42 years working at Joe's and counting... and loving every minute of it. He told us that he aims (and hopes, health permitting, he can continue) to work there till he is 70 years of age. That will make it a grand 50 years with the restaurant.

Just think... he started when he was a young man... and the year was 1966 ( I was not even born! ).

And through the years... he has grown with the restaurant, witnessed its growth, gone through all the challenges... and till this day... is still going strong.

It could not always have been easy/smooth-sailing.

But through all the stormy waters, the challenges, the temptations to move on, he remained steadfast.

Such loyalty. Such love. Such dedication.

Immediately, it dawned on me... that to be working 42 years in the same restaurant is an amazing feat.

The equivalent of 42 years for me would mean that I have to be lawyering at Drew till I am 67 years old. WOW!!!

Just the thought of it is OVERWHELMING. Afterall, I have been there for only slightly over 6 years now (so a mere 15% of what Nat has done)... and 42 is just so so so far away.

Somehow... it appears that/feels like Nat is no longer just an employee. Joe's has become more than just a job to Nat. To him... Joe's is probably more like family... and I am sure, everyone at Joe's feels that way towards Nat too.

Such dedication to one's job, one's work, and dare I say it - one's "adopted family".

Nat... you are truly inspirational.

And how blessed are we to have had the good fortune of sitting at a table served by the LONGEST SERVING & MOST DEDICATED of employees at Joe's Stone Crab.

WWCS