NEWSWORTHY
This section of the LA POWERS site is dedicated to news, information, humor, and local interest of the author's.
Sunnyside Up & Happy Grits
This particular morning I had breakfast at my favorite local place, Rodney's, down-home hospitality capital of Hiram, Georgia, and the best Bar-B-Q in the South as far as I am concerned.Along with the initial country charm of the establishment; its red accents and raw wood walls sporting Coke memorabilia, there is a secret ingredient by which makes all of the food served at Rodney's incomparable.
Her name is Tina.
Now Tina, is a Georgia woman born and bred, left for a tiny bit to reside in South Carolina, but soon found her way home again. Home is what Tina is all about.
Down-home and welcoming to fresh coffee and bright-filled days. For she is what a true person of character and friendly fellowship is.There are no strangers on Tina’s watch. If you aren't a regular, you soon become one!
From bikers in ponytails who come in on big loud rumbling Harleys, to single dads with their toddlers in tow, church ladies in neat clean pant suits,T-shirted and jeaned families of four eating quality for a good price. Construction workers and the Sheriff Deputies, and police from Atlanta. Then there are those lone patrons seeking food and company, like a certain displaced upstate New York writer, (me) and truck-driving Georgia widows of their later years.
So, this particular morning as I made my way to the gym in my black tights and shirt, via Rodney's, I was greeted by Tina holding a newborn in one arm, showing her off to all the happy eating patrons, who in turn were “Ooooing and awing” over the baby. (Beautiful child indeed.) Perky, blond, and twinkling eyes of humor, with a winning smile and sunshine attitude; THAT is Tina!Sharing babies and sharing pictures in phones, sharing titbits of life; fellowship, calling regulars from her cell phone;
“Bill, where you been? Miss you at Friday breakfast.” Or “Mrs. Dell, we are serving that pork chop special you love today, you better come in for lunch before it runs out.”
Down-home means making people feel at home. A place to hang their hat, let down their hair, be part of a family.
Being a good person means to make others feel good.
Tina may be in the food industry, but she is in the fellowship business. She personifies the role model of what true ministry is, though I am sure that is not her intent. She takes a moment for each person non-stop and constant in her attentions, not just to warm their coffees, but to warm their hearts. No one is left out. Tina even goes as far as introducing patrons to each other. It is rare she leaves any detail unnoticed or forgotten. She knows all her patrons names as well as their families names.
“Say hello to your wife Emma,” “Tell the boys I said hi!”
Comrades of life. I recently made acquaintance of Steve, a dark-haired Atlanta Police officer who was sporting a great T-shirt which said, “It's all fun and games until the police come.” It had fun graphics and caught my attention. Then Steve laughed and stirred his coffee with one of the ear arms of his sunglasses, “This is what happens when Tina forgets my spoon!” It was silly and humorous, and Tina-grin-worthy, when I told her about it. Her response:
“You would like his wife Lynn, you and her would get along fine!”
Tina knows all.
Why?
Because she cares enough to learn you and share herself back.
Rodney's and Tina have become my steadfast, “Good Morning and Welcome to a Great Brand New Day!”
It could be pouring torrents of heavy rain outside the raw-wood framed windows, with threats of a Georgia Tornado and blackness engulfing us.Then Tina is like a bask of warm sunshine flitting around the room, pouring hot coffee and sweet tea, and laughter; pulling down simple white shades to block out dismal fear, and offering today's delicious pink-frosted strawberry home-made cake of the day.
United we all are together as mere people awaiting life moments; bonded with one another.
That is what makes Tina so special.
She is the glue among strangers who are hungry for a place to feel special and at home in. We never truly understood our innate desire to belong, as we live our lives and simply intend to feed our bellies with eggs over easy, grits, or chicken fried steak and sweet potato fries.
And there we are.
Suddenly a family and strangers no more.
With Tina, the leader of human beauty of a joyful attitude, we are all part of that bubbly feel-good freedom of being the best of who we are, for she brings out the best of each of us, and Tina; sweet Tina, she will be one of those forever-people whom we never forget, and who has touched our lives, making a permanent difference we would not think of changing ever either.I for one, am proud to know this woman, and blessed to have the privilege indeed.
Thank you Tina for making my stop in Georgia worth it.
