There are people who shine all around us.

Many of you know I am writing this week's posts from Leadershape, the week long leadership program that I facilitate with college students.  Today is Day #3 and, while it is tempting to share their inspiring vision statements from yesterday, I won't.  Today's post is reserved for the cafeteria employee who serves our breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

The first day we arrived at the retreat site in time for dinner.  Chicken, string beans and salad was on the menu.  I asked the woman not to put string beans on my plate and politely explained that I was allergic.  She looked and me and chuckled, as if I she'd heard it a million times from every kid who ever to avoid eating vegetables.  "No," I insisted.  "It's true.  I'm allergic to all legumes.

The next afternoon a tray of assorted cookies was available.  I pointed to the chocolate cookies and asked if those were peanut butter chips inside.  "I'm allergic to peanuts," I explained.  Quickly she assured me there were no nuts in any of their baked goods.  So, I took an extra one to celebrate.

Yesterday. Yesterday at lunch the menu was grilled cheese sandwiches and chili.  There were two rows of chili bowls lined up on the counter, when I arrived at the front.  "Is one of these rows  beanless chili?" I asked.

This vibrant woman with blond hair and a perfectly pleasant smile quickly turned on her heel.  She scurried to the back of the kitchen and returned with a single bowl of chili.

"Here," she said.  "I scooped this bowl of chili for you before adding beans to the rest of the pot.  I remembered you are allergic to beans and nuts."

No award.  No pay raise.  No monument.  Just a hardworking employee taking pride in her work and radiating shine!

Shining off until tomorrow...