Really??

Today I ended up very glad that God’s ways are not my ways. I started out at a hair appointment and ended up at a tea room…

I had a coupon to try a new salon. From the moment I stepped inside, I wasn’t very impressed. While the salon itself is very cute, kind of quirky and retro, the totally tattooed owner was on the phone with an unsatisfied customer and she was basically telling her that there was really nothing she could do for her. Really? And she is the owner?

She was polite but intimidating and after an initial consult with me, decided she hadn’t blocked enough time for me and I would have to come back another day. Really? Because I have this coupon I purchased, I decided I would book another appt for another day.

I walked out and realized I had just paid for two hours of parking and had nothing else to do in downtown Tacoma. Really? I decided to drive towards Old Town in hopes of uncovering a hidden treasure I hadn’t previously happened upon in this area.

I parked by the waterfront, laced up my tennies and grabbed my Helly Hansen, since drizzling rain was in the forecast.In Washington?  Really?  I do love all of the places nearby where you can walk along the waterfront and take in the mountains on all sides.

As I walked along this particular stretch, I noticed up ahead a Chinese-looking structure. I’ve never walked this path before but as I got closer, I realized it was a park that was under construction. After reading the markers along the trail, I learned that it was called the Walk for Reconciliation, a symbolic walk to commemorate the 125^th anniversary of the expulsion of the Chinese community in Tacoma. Google it for more information, but basically in 1885, when Tacoma’s economy was failing, a group of 15 men blamed it on the Chinese workers in the city. They gave them a deadline to be out of the city and those who didn’t comply were forcibly put on a train and sent to Portland. Really?

As I walked on I pondered the facts and tried to imagine those poor families who were stripped of everything and sent off to another part of a totally foreign country.

 As I walked, I met many older tourists who were all out enjoying the sites and the mild climate of the day. They nodded, said hello, commented on what a beautiful day it was, and inspired me to want to be cheerful and pleasant when I get old:)

Perhaps the highlight of the morning was where I ended up. At the Hawthorne Tea Room. I've been here twice before; once with my PWOC board ladies for a Christmas tea, and another time with my dear friend, Kim. It's a lovely place with lovely people and delightful tea.I don't go many places by myself but I am learning to embrace "alone" time and look and listen closely for what God is trying to tell me. I walked up and down the street a few times before I got the courage to go in. I'm so glad I did. 

I ordered Lady Londonderry Tea, which I'd never tried before but I loved the name and wanted something new. I had a salad and completed my time with a triple berry scone and lemon curd. Yum. 

I sorted through coupons knowing that when my little "party" was over, I'd have to return to my real world. I sipped tea, pondered, eavesdropped (one of my favorite things to do, I confess), and thoroughly enjoyed my time all by myself. I left with a bounce in my step, said happy birthday to the girl sitting a few tables away, and thanked God that He ordered a morning for me that was just delightful. Really!