My New Town

Today was my day off and decided to take Massey to lunch. We ventured out in her Mustang with the top down on a beautiful afternoon in eighty degree perfect weather. We were originally going to a place we found on Yelp serving all southern style home cooking. The GPS led us to a neighborhood right on the outskirts of downtown Orlando. It was a sketchy looking part of town at the very least and decided to find somewhere else to eat. Maybe we'll go back one day when we have Tim with us. I told Massey as long as we were in the downtown area to just drive around and see what it was like. Traffic was horrible, just like downtown Atlanta but was a pretty cool place with lots to see. We finally left the car in a parking garage in the middle of downtown and just walked. Lots of eclectic places and small side streets with a little bit of everything. We walked to a Diner across the street from the courthouse. Cute little hole in the wall place, and since it was almost three had the place to ourselves. There was a waitress sweeping the floor but welcomed us right in and said to choose any table. After ordering I noticed the hours on the front door. Mon-Fri 7:00AM to 3PM.

As soon as the server brought our food I told her to bring me a box and our check and apologized for coming in so late.

Her boss had probably told her to sweep up and go home before we clomped through the door. I felt terrible, especially knowing that feeling all too well as a server.

She was sweet as could be and chatted with us after (immediately) bringing the box and check.(and didn't blame her one bit) We told her where we had originally planned on eating and what street it was on and she said we made the right decision to leave...super sketchy part of town.

She never acted like we were a bother and was helpful and cheerful from the jump, telling us all her favorites. While paying the check we asked her where the nightclub Pulse was located? She pointed outside and said "straight down this street."

This brought up another conversation about the horrific events of that night. She knew one of the bartenders who had survived and had frequented the club herself. We talked at length about haters and why they even cared so much about hurting people simply for being something they perceived to be different.

Good food, good server, great experience. The perfect combination! The bill wasn't that much so left her a fifty percent tip. I think it's safe to say we made her day, just like she made ours.

We'll definitely go back and often (breakfast menu looked awesome) and always ask for Kendra.

We walked back to the car and turned in the direction she had told us.

The entire building (all sides) was covered with murals and about ten or fifteen people were either sitting, talking or walking around. It was a paved and painted tribute, memorial and make shift "Pulse Park."  A place to sit and reflect. They even had benches to sit on.

It felt surreal to actually be even driving by... especially today.

This recent election season has brought out more hate and finger pointing than any sane person could possibly ever want to see.

Webster's defines Hate as "To feel hostility or animosity toward."

Webster's also defines Love as "A deep, tender feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship or sense of oneness."

Bam.

The Baby Boomers called it right but not enough people listened.

The Millennials called it right too while my own youngest was still in high school on a Guard team yet we all still ignored it.

When are people going to finally wake up and realize the old southern quote my own momma taught me says it best...

"You catch more flies with honey than vinegar."

I'd rather be sweet than sour.

Regardless of infighting and all the ridiculous rants...it is great to be an American and America is great.

Til next time...COTTON