Tonight after work, as our guests were filing out toward the parking lots following the big night show, I overheard a woman telling one of our Customer Service Clerks, Stella Tuifua, how much she had enjoyed her family’s experience at PCC. She spoke so enthusiastically, describing how the show was “beyond what we ever imagined it would be” and how “much fun the whole day was.”
I was standing a little ways off, so I didn’t hear the entire conversation, but from what I did catch — and from the look of absolute joy on her face — it was clear that her family had an unforgettable time. I stepped a little closer, hoping to hear more, but only caught her final words as she thanked Stella and turned to walk toward her car.
She said, “This was the PERFECT way to celebrate Mom’s 94th birthday!”
I immediately wanted to give her something for her mother — a small token to remember PCC by — but as I looked around the booth, I couldn’t find anything suitable. When I looked back up, the woman was gone, lost in the crowd of two thousand guests that was flowing like a river past the booth. I felt a little sad at the missed opportunity.
After everything was closed up, I walked out front to where I had parked my truck. Just before I exited the main doors, a cute little old lady in a wheelchair nearly ran my foot over. Hahaha I looked over to the “driver”of the wheelchair and saw that it was the woman who was at the Customer Service booth just a few minutes earlier.
She said, “Excuse me! I’m so sorry!” and I replied, “Don’t worry about it! I was looking for you!”
She looked confused.
I really hadn’t thought I would see them again, and I still had nothing to give, so I got caught up in the moment. I knelt down, wrapped my arms around Grandma, and said, “HAPPY 94TH BIRTHDAY!”
When I let go, I glanced down and remembered the kukui nut lei hanging around my neck. I took it off and placed it over her head. She looked so surprised.
I said, “This is for you to remember us by! I hope you had a wonderful birthday here, and we look forward to seeing you again next year for your 95th birthday!”
She had a huge smile on her face… but also looked like she had no idea what was going on.
Then I looked up—again—at her daughter, who was pushing the wheelchair. My heart sank into my stomach as I realized this was NOT the woman I’d spoken to earlier at the Customer Service booth.
Which meant this grandmother was NOT the one celebrating her 94th birthday.
Suddenly feeling very awkward, I quickly stood up, turned, and walked outside. Just to try and look smooth, I turned around one more time, waved, and said with a big smile, “Happy Birthday! Bye!” Then I crossed the street to my truck.
That poor grandma.
She was either thinking, “Who in the WORLD is this phat guy and why is he hugging me?!”
—or—
“Who in the WORLD is this handsome guy, and wow… I’m so lucky he’s hugging me!”
Because I ran off so quickly, I’m not sure which it was.
I’m going to go ahead and assume it was the latter.
