Dear someone,
I used to see you every morning at my job, precisely on time, in that quiet spot when rush hour wasn't quite over yet but lunch hour hadn't quite begun. You'd drive up to the window, order the same thing you always did, and make it your personal mission to ruin my day. You were very creative. You'd go about it in different ways, like some kind of surprise jack-in-the-box at the low point of my shift and not the kind that turns happy when you give it as a Christmas present.
When I wished you a good morning, you'd say you didn't want to hear from someone as disgusting as that. When I didn't, you'd ask why I was so impersonal. Despite ordering the same thing every day, if you had spare time, you would come into the store and complain that your order was wrong. Occasionally, you'd even call the manager over. But it wasn't always as outgoing as that. A lot of the time I wouldn't even notice who you were until you'd pull up to the window. Usually what would reveal it would be a quiet expletive uttered under the breath before I could see your face.
So why am I writing for you?
The answer is that I have never met a more determined, passionate person. You would set out every day into the same store with the firm determination to find the same person and act sour; if you couldn't find me, you'd be very nice to my stand-in while looking for me through the window. I looked forward to seeing you every day because although you rarely succeeded, I got to know you so well that I would have your coffee perfect and ready, price memorized ($3.25), and have you slide through and on your way. Your standard helped me set the bar for exemplary service, so much so that by the end of the summer I would be genuinely disappointed to miss you for the day.
The best part, though, was that it really drove me to recognize the good in people. Every day a woman would come forward who I had to satisfy through my work, a woman who was determined to bring my mood down. So how did I get past it? I focused on your positive traits! You're cunning, intelligent, an excellent driver, and have a great speaking voice. You also present yourself well, and I'm sure you make enjoyable company among friends.
I have to thank you because, when I left my job for school, I brought that habit with me, and as a result, I find it impossible to stay angry at anyone because everyone is a pleasure to meet and fascinating to talk to. This has made life easier, happier, and smoother with each passing day. I'm not sure what you got out of this experience. Maybe you figured out new ways to get to people's buttons? I hope I wasn't the only one to learn from this experience.
Either way, I look forward to seeing you again once I get back to work, and I wish you the best for the remaining year.
Best wishes!
