THE SAGE CONNECTION

A "web of interconnections" led to an even happier than expected event

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I had a birthday last week and as luck would have it, my daughter had the day off.  She wanted to take me out to lunch and told me to pick the place.

After pursuing several options, we decided we should try a place new to us. So, we settled on the Dockside Bistro in downtown Olympia. The menu looked enticing and the setting is on the waterfront. We were both looking forward to this outing as it would be one of the first for both of us since the COVID lockdowns began.

We made a reservation and eagerly awaited the day.  When it finally arrived we set off for our special treat.  We had checked out the menu online and there were many mouth-watering options, but they had me at the starter called the Seafood Martini -- lobster/crab/shrimp/scallops/caviar in a sweet vermouth cream sauce. This clearly was a must and it did not disappoint.

We also decided we should have a cocktail.  My daughter announced we should be adventurous. So, after reading the beverage menu we settled on a martini. All I really remember about the ingredients was that it had nutmeg listed and so being the “experienced” drinkers we are, that sealed the deal.

While waiting for our food we were enjoying the view of the waterfront and gradually glanced around at the other diners. Directly across from us was a woman dining alone. She had a glass of wine and a book she was reading while waiting for her order.  I noticed her first. My daughter spotted another woman sitting alone with a bucket icing a bottle of champagne on her table.

We commented how great it was that these ladies were comfortable eating alone. After a while I had to use the powder room and when returning I passed by the woman with the champagne.

For some reason, I decided to stop and speak to her. I said “I don’t know what you’re celebrating but I just wanted to say congratulations.” She smiled and said ”my mother passed a couple of weeks ago. She and I used to like to come here – so, I am here remembering our good times together.” By this time, she had tears in her eyes. “Is that your daughter?” she asked. I told her it was and that I hoped our memories would be as happy as hers.  She thanked me and wished us well and I continued on to our table.

Our food arrived and my daughter and I shared tastes of everything we had ordered, chatted and laughed a lot. We teased with our waiter who was wise enough to inform me since it was my birthday, he would dispense with checking my ID.

The woman with the champagne left but said goodbye on her way to the door.

Next to go was the other single lady with the glass of wine and book. Finally, it was our turn.

When the waiter brought my daughter the bill, he informed us that the woman sitting across from us, with the book and wine, had paid for our martinis. She was already gone so we didn’t have a chance to thank her.

We sat for a moment before commenting on how interesting it was that we picked that day and that restaurant when those two particular women would be there. My daughter calls this a web of interconnections. I have long believed we are all where we are supposed to be at any given time.

Regardless of how or why, these two ladies made my day even more special.  I would like to thank them both for their kindness and willingness to share special memories in your lives.

And just in case you were wondering, in that photo above, my daughter is the one with the grey hair…

Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia.  Contact her at kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below. 

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  • susankibbey

    Funny thing, my daughter also treated me to dinner at Dockside for my birthday this year. Although we didn't have any special connections with other customers, we had an exceptionally lovely time and your story brought it all back to me.

    Thursday, March 18, 2021 Report this