This delightful human being works at Lloyd Coffee Eatery on the Langemunt in Gent.

Yes, the food is great, the vibe is wide open … but people make my life.

Aria is kind.  To me, to everyone.  A few weeks ago, we were struggling to learn each other’s name.  One day back then, we both got it.  I said “Two for two.”  A couple of days ago we greeted each other with our names.  She said “Two for two.”  Lovely.

I watch Aria with other customers.  Almost always she engages in conversation with them – a short one if she’s busy, but still … contact.  A genuine smile, a genuine interest.

Just now, I saw Aria apologize to a woman for some gap in service with respect to her child.  The words were real, and in the realm of “I’ll make it right next time.  I’ll remember you.”  The customer’s response was a smile … also genuine.  Aria defused the situation, not as a communication skill she’d learned, but as a natural expression of her.

When I see her in action, the word that shows up is power.  Not “power over” but rather as “power to influence”.

An expression comes to mind: “the most powerful person in the world”.  It usually refers to the President of the United States.  Someone who can cause other world leaders to turn into pleasers, someone who can order the bombing of another country.

That’s not Aria’s power.  She puts smiles on people’s faces.  She no doubt lifts the spirits of many who are feeling ground down by life.

A gift given

An expression of true power