Roy Rogers

When my mother became a widow, she no longer cooked meals for herself. She took to spending her afternoons in a favorite chosen booth, window side at Roy Rogers. There she would pass her time reading, doing cross word puzzles, and drawing near to her anyone who liked conversation with their coffee.

My mother soon became a "Regular" along with other Regulars who also had their favorite booths and spent their afternoons window side. The Regulars all knew each other by name, their life's story, and their most pressing ailment of the day.

My mother spent so much time at Roy Rogers, that if I needed to speak to her during the day, I would call the restaurant and ask for her by name.  She was loved by the employees for her willingness to listen to their problems and give advice when needed.

One afternoon she noticed an older gentleman in a windbreaker, a ball cap on his head, tray of food in his hands, looking for a window spot to sit. My mother asked if he would like to join her. Comfortable right away, the gentleman expressed that he was in the area to visit his sister and did she know of anyone who taught art as his sister had expressed an interest in taking lessons. My mother told him she taught a seniors group art lessons and would be happy to include his sister. Information was exchanged, the man was so grateful.

My mother asked if the gentleman would sign her tray liner to give to her grandson Christopher. The man asked, "How did you know it was me?"

My mother replied, "You may look like a truck driver, but they don't usually wear Rolex watches!"

My mother may have been a Regular, but she lived an extraordinary life!