Let Me Tell You a Story

Today, our social media threads are full of advice for starting the New Year off on the right foot. We get information about how we can eat cleanly, celebrate a dry January, get organized, start exercising, create a practice of gratitude….the list goes on and on and all of it is great advice although maybe it’s a bit ambitious and unrealistic?

There are also so many feel good stories today including wedding engagements, travel photos, inspirational music videos and dogs…so many dogs. (My favorite feel good story!)

And then there are the devastating headline news stories. It’s hard to figure out how to live in a world that feels so topsy turvey and often upside down.

This morning, I read a post on Threads about a person who said that when they entered a coffee shop, they were welcomed warmly because they always came in with a smile and a friendly demeanor. Those of a certain age will remember “Norm” of Cheers fame. He’s a great example of that phenomena though “Norm” maybe wasn’t always Mr. Cheery!

Well, let me tell you a story about Niels, the “Norm” of his favorite coffee shop. Just one more reason why I loved him so and miss him so. It’s also another example of what it means to others when you are kind and friendly. It’s so simple. Really it is…

Once upon a time…

A couple weeks ago, Blair and I (Glen was ill with pneumonia) were invited to visit Niels’ Walnut Creek office. We had offered to donate all of Niels’ gaming equipment to them and our timing was great because they were remodeling so they created a memorial gaming center in their kitchen lounge in Niels’ honor. They asked us to come to see it and even provided lunch.

As we were sitting around the conference table enjoying lunch, one of his colleagues mentioned that the employees at Panama Bay Coffee that is around the corner from the office, wanted us to stop by so they could meet us. The employees had been missing Niels and had only recently heard the news; they were pretty devastated.

As Blair and I drove away from the office that afternoon, we realized that we hadn’t taken the time to stop by Panama Bay, but agreed we’d go soon. Later that evening, we met a couple of Niels’ colleagues for a glass of wine and they arrived with a big bag FULL of “goodies” from Panama Bay.

First, Blair and I were disappointed in ourselves that we hadn’t taken the time to stop by earlier in the day to personally pick up the unexpected bag and to meet them. Honestly, we were already a bit of an emotional wreck that afternoon and maybe it would have been too much. Still…

So we came home and opened up the bag full of goodies and when I say full…I mean coffee, cookie mixes, tshirts, gift cards, and most importantly…hand-written personal notes from each employee telling us why Niels was their favorite customer. Yes, open the flood gates…Please indulge me as I share some excerpts of their remembrances…

The letter started with “To those who love Niels…”

The news of his passing was heartbreaking…we miss him every day…we want to share why we hold our memories of him dear to our hearts…

Niels always had a smile on his face…if it was busy he would be so understanding and wait patiently…if he was working through the weekend…he never voiced an ounce of irritation. He loved what he did and who he did it with…Niels taught me patience and forgiveness. He would always share his joy…he would pay for his coworkers drinks…and he was always surrounded by laughs and smiles…a truly happy person.

Niels never failed to make me laugh or smile…he always came with a funny story or joke. I loved watching him cross the street and I would have his drink ready to hand to him when he walked in…he would always be so surprised and happy. He was kind and sweet and stayed a couple minutes to talk…I wish I could thank him for being the best regular customer at Panama Bay.

Niels was always so kind, gentle and patient. He will be missed.

Niels was so hard working. I don’t remember him having many days off. He was a patient and kind soul. I remember seeing him on a phone call walking by and he was so giddy and happy, like a kid. That’s how I always have and always will picture him in my mind.

I always had great conversations with Niels. He always treated his coworkers and always had a smile on his face.

From the first time I met him, he was a genuine and kind soul. I loved our conversations…he came with the best energy. He left a lasting mark on all of us at Panama Bay Coffee.

From the Ava, General Manager: Niels was one of a kind. He was a part of our Panama Bay family. Niels will live on in all of our hearts. Thank you for bringing Niels into this world for us to get to know and to love.

She went on to ask if we could bring them a photo of Niels. They want to “share” the story of Niels with their Panama Bay community. So we did. We took in a favorite photo of him. It was taken at a wedding of a colleague and we only have it because she shared it with us.

Thank you, Ava and the rest of the Panama Bay for being such an important part of Niels’ life. AND for sharing your Niels story with us. You’ll never know how much it means to us.

And for the readers – (assuming you’re still reading)…It is SO simple.

Be kind. Wear a smile. Be giddy. Act like a kid. Tell a joke.

Take time for a short conversation.

Pay it forward.

Make someone feel like they are the reason you are there.

Be patient. Forgive. Be kind.

Bring your best energy to everything you do.

And lastly…don’t forget to take care of yourself. Because if you don’t…you may not be able to continue to be all those things to all the people who love you.

And finally, to Niels…we can continue to love you by trying to be more like you.

That’s my New Year’s resolution. Be more like Niels.