9 Reasons to Eat Yogurt

I enjoy frozen yogurt. I had one tonight after we had dinner at PhoThai in Federal Way. During dinner, the following sign hung on the wall over our table.

As much as I enjoy yogurt, I’ve never said to Kim, “Hey, let’s grab a yogurt to keep our colons healthy” or “Guess what refreshing dessert reduces yeast infections?”

Maybe 9 reasons is a stretch and 6 would have done the trick? Either way, I couldn’t help but think of the brainstorming session that took place in order to come up with reasons. Can you imagine those that didn’t make the grade?

The sign makes it appear as if fresh raspberries are a topping option. But you’d be wrong if you assumed that like I did when I asked what fruit toppings were available.

“Oreos and almonds except we’re out of almonds”

“OK, I’ll go with the Oreos”

One other nice touch is the red tape over the word, “Sample”. It makes sense because if you’re suffering from an intestinal infection, you’ll want to jump immediately to the full size offering and skip the sample.

Something Only I Get To Do

I don’t know what it is about the third child, but she often gets overlooked. Maybe it’s her age or the fact she has an older brother and sister. Whatever the reason, Anna is often left alone while her older siblings are off celebrating birthday parties or playing with friends.

When I arrived home from work today, Anna was upset. She’d been told that Lincoln and Luca were playing with Luca’s best friend who invited them over to her home. Anna moped around the basement getting more upset each time we tried to comfort her. There’s always a next time. But to a five-year old, “next time” sounds like an eternity.

It wasn’t long before she was in tears. I’d had enough of her complaining and sent her upstairs to cry by herself before sitting at my computer.

I normally tune out this time of day. Monday’s are filled with mindless tasks like signing expense reports and combing over time sheets. I don’t mind the work, but I’m glad it only needs my attention once a week. By the time I get home, I’m tired and my mind needs a few minutes to decompress. Coming home to a crying child isn’t what I’m looking for, yet that’s what I got today.

I could still hear Anna crying upstairs. I considered sending her to her room where she wouldn’t be heard. I started up the stairs rehearsing what I’d say.

But what came out wasn’t what I had planned.

Anna was curled up on the couch, knees pulled up tight against her chest. Her bloodshot eyes were as red as her dress. When she saw me, she glanced downward.

“Do you want to come with me on an errand?”

*silence*

“You’ll need to put shoes on if you’d like to come along.”

She rolled off the couch and headed towards her closet.

I strapped her into the car and pulled out of the driveway. As we headed towards the gas station, I watched Anna in my rearview mirror. Her eyes were still red and she was sniffling. She looked straight ahead.

She watched me pump gas without saying much. I replaced the nozzle and asked her to help me turn the gas cap till it clicked tight.

“Do you want to go inside with me and choose a treat?”

Finally, a hint of a smile.

On the way home, I watched my daughter look out the window as we passed children playing at the park. Older kids were playing tennis while other shot baskets. Chocolate from her Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup began to cover her cheeks.

A couple of blocks from our home she said, “Dad?”

“What?”

“Was this something only I get to do?”

“Yep, you were the only one who helped me put gas in the car”

I didn’t matter what we did. What mattered to Anna was that she got to do something with nobody else except me. Even if it was only a trip to the gas station with dad. I don’t believe I replaced the fun she could have had at the friend’s house.

But I know it was something I’ll remember. Because in the past, I would have remained at my computer while my daughter sat alone in her room.

I pulled up the driveway and into the garage before Anna jumped out of the car and said, “I can’t wait to tell Luca and Lincoln what I got to do today”.

The Human Connection

Last week I called my credit union to discuss the loan I have with them. I was caught off guard when a woman answered the phone on the second ring. She didn’t route my call to another department. She didn’t take a message and promise to have someone else return my call. She didn’t send me off into voicemail hell.

She listened to my question and solved my problem in under two minutes.

I wasn’t prepared for this.

I’ve been conditioned to expect a voicemail tree created to wear me down. I’m accustomed to reaching the correct department but outside of their office hours. I’m used to leaving a voicemail in what feels like a black hole to nowhere.

Contrast this to the experience I had calling my mortgage company where I’m asked for my account number before reaching a human. By the time I was able to reach someone who could help me, I’d given my address, phone number, date of birth and last 4 digits of my Social Security number FOUR TIMES.

I understand that the economic climate dictates that companies need to cut back, and support positions are often the first to go. It may seem like a no brainer replacing your receptionist with phone tree system, but you miss an opportunity to connect with your customers if you do. And in the long run, that’s a bad business move.

I’m going look for opportunities to support companies that aren’t erecting conversation barriers. Companies like my credit union who answer the phone instead of forcing me into an automated system.

It’s the human connection that matters. Even if it costs a little more.