mama z's

i still had a good 200 miles of gas left in my tank, but figured i better get it filled at dease lake - a small town on route 37.  i'd fill it and then go find a place to park and sleep.  when i got there the gas station was already closed.  so i went across the street to a restaurant called mama z's.  the lights were on but there was only one car parked there.   as i walked to the door, a lady on the front porch asked if she could help me.  i asked "are there any other gas stations in town?"   "nope," was her simple reply.  "hmm, so i guess i'll just wait for that one to open?"   i don't remember if she actually said "yup" or if my rhetorical question answered itself as though stating the obvious.  she asked me, "do you want some coffee?"  "um, no thanks, i'm on a small budget."   "let me get you some coffee," she insisted, then added "do you want some soup?" not wanting to presume she was offering that for free, i declined saying i had food stuff in my van.  "well feel free to park here over night.  just put your van over there in the corner.  it's safe here.  the police are around, and if you park over there no one will bother you."   "wow, thanks!  i think i'll do that...  what's your name?"  "zora; mama, z.  come on in, i'll get you some coffee."  that whole time she had her elbow on the table, holding her cell phone off to the side.  as she got up to lead me inside she ended the phone conversation with whoever it was.

i went in behind her and waited at the cash register as she found me some coffee.  there were only two people sitting in the place.  i thought the inside was really nice.  italian style.  i noticed a lot of the photos on the walls were of venice.

after she came with the coffee she told me she was going to bring me some soup too.  she escorted me to a table and had me sit.   i asked her why she was being so generous, "don't you have a business to run here? why are you doing this?"  "i don't know how long i'm going to be on these legs...   God has blessed me."  i told her, "well, i didn't know where i would be tonight, but God is blessing me through you!  thanks!"  i enjoyed taking in the soup and sandwich with the coffee.

as i ate, mama z and her minimal staff closed the restaurant.   she let me finish, and then while turning out the lights she kicked me out so she could get to bed.  "come back in the morning and we'll get you some more coffee."   so nice!  : )     i slept the night in my van and then came back in as she requested.  there were multiple tables occupied in the morning.  a few locals and a number a people passing through who, from what i could gather, return regularly to that place because they love it so much.  "good morning jeremy, how was your sleep?  have a seat.  what kind of eggs do you want?"   a free breakfast too!??

before i left, i was honored to have her sign my travel journal.   what an amazing blessing it was to experience such unexpected generosity from a stranger!  as i ate and admired the restaurant itself, i was hoping that that experience would change me for the better and make me more proactive in blessing other people whether i know them or not.  thanks mama z!