Seafood is not high on my dining list except for fish.  Growing up, we only had this one catch, bounty from the local Pee Dee River.  But today, we were in a commercial setting and the variety of servings was endless so I chose… fish.  But this is not a restaurant review; rather it is about an observation made while enjoying the meal.
We were seated in a booth near the front of the business surrounded by several tables initially not occupied since we  were early arrivals.  But within minutes, other customers entered and a group, all strangers, was seated in easy sight of our booth although not near enough for us to overhear the conversation. I had no way to know anything about the group except to assume logically of its apparent makeup. It lacked one key character; there was no older woman present, maybe the wife/mother of the group.  The others were easy to figure out however.  There was an older man; slightly overweight wearing a casual shirt with jeans and whose tanned face and arms indicated he probably worked outdoors.  He was in his late 50s it seemed. There were three other members sitting at the table with him which included a young adult, perhaps his son who was seated beside a high chair whose occupant was a baby girl perhaps his daughter, a year or so old.  She was the center of attention, active and obviously excited about her new surroundings. The waitress evidently knew the child since they carried on a lively conversation while the order was being given.  But there was a fourth patron present except one whose demeanor was somewhat somber.
He seemed to be in his later teen years, dressed smartly with a jacket that he had difficulty in removing until the oldest member of the group- his father perhaps, assisted him.  One could easily see that his movements were not as easy and as fluid as others; his actions were somewhat fixed and rigid indicating he has difficulty with his muscular movements.  But there was immediate assistance when needed.  
The scene was so obvious to me although I felt a little uneasy as if I were invading their privacy by my observation.  I am richer however for having been present to witness the scene.
The family went about its business of dining as normal for them although the father had additional duties to perform.  The most routine dining actions presented challenges for the teen in the group.  He had difficulty in making ordinary movements necessary for enjoying his meal and when he ran into a problem, the father was always there to predict just what needed to be done and do it expertly.  To an outsider, it seemed a little awkward but no one at the table seemed to consider it to be anything less than usual.  There were some slight hesitations while assisting the boy but to them it was apparently no big deal.  It was a system made ‘easy’ perhaps because of much practice.
When it was necessary to leave the table briefly, the father was prompt in anticipating the needs of his son and made the transition appear to be effortless and quite normal.
While the scene might present to the casual observer a sense of uneasiness; still one has to admire the family as it dealt with a situation that showed in a practical way how unconditional love works.  It would have been easy to deny public exposure of this challenging moment except the act of denial would only make the situation something to hide, itself unacceptable.
I wrote recently about the many gifts we have which make us indeed rich.  Seeing those with limitations only accentuates this undeniable fact of life.
Recently I read about a young girl who was asked by her teacher to write the names of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  She surprised her teacher when instead of listing the conventional, historical wonders, she listed among others the greatest wonder.
Love, after all can be seen everywhere even at a place serving seafood.
“We are often at our best when life is at its worst.”  – Dave Schiflett
*
Bill Lee, PO Box 128, Hamer, SC 29547