Beautiful...and Charitable!!

Aren't they a beautiful couple?

I have to tell you a little story about these two. Well, I guess it's really about me...never mind, I'll just tell it! A little background first...in the military, a LOT of times when there is a holiday, they will throw in an extra day off, combined with the weekend, and call it a 96 (meaning 96 hours of liberty-or time off). So if the holiday was on a Thursday, they'd throw in Friday, too. If it's on a Monday, they might also give off Friday or Tuesday, too. (Thinking this sounds like a pretty sweet deal, in addition to the 30 days of paid vacation a year they already get? Let me know and I'll hook you up with your local recruiting office!) In reality, they can't begin to make up for the long hours and time spent away from family during deployments, but it's a nice little token that says, "We care."

Anyway, where was I? So, on most of these bonus holidays, the children are still in school (much to their dismay) so it's a nice little "date day" for mom and dad. So this past Memorial Day weekend there was a 96, as Tuesday was another day off. I didn't really remember this until after I got the kids out the door and got myself ready for the day. I started thinking it might be nice to go to lunch with someone in the neighborhood...and then I remembered...the husbands were home...which made me feel a little sorry for myself because obviously, mine is not. Well, I brushed it off and just went about my day. I talked to Susan right before lunch time and the thought crossed my mind that maybe hers was working. I casually asked, "So, what are you guys up to today?" Her response answered my question...he was home, too.

I left the house to run some errands, and that sashimi salad at Gen was just calling my name. It was about 2 PM, so I knew the lunch crowd would be gone and I'd be less conspicuous on my own, so I decided to go it alone. Yes! There was only one other couple in there. I placed my order and cracked open my intro to Japanese book and settled in to enjoy my own company. Suddenly, I see this beautiful blonde head peek around the corner at me. It's Molly, with husband in tow.

"We saw your car in the parking lot. Can we join you?"

I assured them they didn't have to do that, I knew that these bonus, kid-free days were few and far between (I know I sure covet them) but they insisted on having lunch with me. Now I realize that it's very possible there's more to the story...maybe they were just being gracious and quick-thinking...but I don't care, I'll take the charity!

It was a very nice lunch, with very nice friends. The only thing that would have been better would have been spending it with my best friend...but since he was gone (and certainly not enjoying a 96 himself) I was so grateful for the thoughtfulness of Cliff's boss and his beautiful wife. They were fabulous company!