Three young men kept me happy today. In fact, these three young men keep me happy many days.
Frank, Charlie and John are Highlands young men who often come into the Girls Café in Highlands on a Sunday morning. Frank and John are 12-year-old twins, both with his own good looks and independent personality. Charley is a very mature 13-year-old.
The trio makes you realize and appreciate there are very polite, courteous, happy and very mature young people living in Highlands who give you confidence that the future is truly in good hands.
Frank and Charley have been in a few times with other of their friends as well; this was John’s first time at the counter.
When it’s not crowded, they sit at a table, order their breakfasts politely, and sit and have quiet conversation, obviously enjoying each other’s company while they eat. If it’s crowded, they do the same at the counter, but not without ensuring themselves first of all that they aren’t taking someone else’s place.
If you happen to be coming in The Girls ‘Café about the same time they are, they all say hello and any one of the three holds the door open and exchanges pleasantries about the kind of day it is.
Seeing them there this week prompted me to ask why they come to the Girls Café so often for breakfast. All three were eager to answer and had his own opinion.
“It’s good here,” Frank explains, shrugging as if to say that makes sense. Then he adds, “the food is a good quality, and it isn’t too expensive. I know everybody here too, it’s just like family.”
John agrees and then talks about coming from Wisconsin and liking living here. The boys talk about their involvement in sports, about liking school and how good it is, and about activities going on in Highlands. They actually seem interested in holding a conversation with a stranger old enough to be their great grandmother.
Charley smiles, knowing he’s going to be asked the same questions. But he takes control of the situation, and starts with “You know my Dad,” a statement that surprised me because I didn’t know I did know his Dad simply because I did not know Charley himself.
The conversation went to sports, and Charley talked about the thrill he had going to the states for wrestling, and explaining, in answer to questions, that it’s his “technique” on the mat that earned him the right to compete in states. But rather than brag, when asked how he made out in the competition, he shrugged and said, “Pretty good.”
Sunday mornings at The Girls Café always mean talking with great people, chatting with the same local folks who know a good thing when they see it, and appreciating Charley for her expertise at the grill, and Kitty and Sam, or other staff members Allyson gets to charm and serve the customers every day. Wednesdays through Saturdays are just as much fun for either breakfast or lunch with an expanded group of the same great folks. There’s even still outdoor dining until the temperature drops too much
But having the door held open by a courteous young teen, seeing three young teens enjoy each other’s company in a polite, courteous and quiet conversation while others are having breakfast, or lunch adds a touch of class and appreciation for parents who have taught their youngsters that courtesy is important….and appreciated.
Highlands families are like that.
