A Table for One

Schedules and things being what they are I found myself with a free Friday night. After watching Oliver's Little League game (he went 2 for 3 with a walk, and four RBI), I headed for Boston for dinner and a drink.

I have been to Smith and Wollensky's a couple of times in what feels like another life. I enjoyed the food, the service, and the atmosphere. Located in a former armory, Boston's Smith and Wollensky's is my favorite place on earth to get a steak. The food is fantastic, the service very good, and the bartenders know how to make a martini. I decided to go because I had unexpectedly came into a little extra money and decided that I deserved a treat. I also wanted and needed the civilized experience of eating in a fine restaurant where the waitstaff does not address the patrons as "you guys" or where the word "fixins" appears anywhere on the menu. And frankly, I wanted to be waited on.

I love my children dearly, but there are times when I think I could be on fire and their first response would be to run for marshmallows. I know I am not the only parent out there with this feeling. But I found myself wanting someone else to wait on me, to have an interest in whether my needs were met, and to eat somebody else's cooking. That I had to pay for this experience is of small consequence.

Going out to a nice restaurant by myself is something I do not typically do. I would rather spend the time and the money on my kids or have it in my pocket. However, there are times when I need to put myself first, to be by myself, so I can get a little distance to see that there are others in my life that come before me. Last night, for a few hours I put myself first, but today, as usual, there are others that I gladly, cheerfully, and thankfully put first.