This is Dolores. 

She works the graveyard shift at the Roanoke Rapids, Virginia Pancake House.  I thought I was there to eat a quick breakfast and head back onto the road on my trip up to Rhode Island.  What I didn’t expect was that along with the pancakes and eggs, I would get a pretty big helping of down-home wisdom. 

Dolores was a philosopher dressed as a waitress.  “I was married 17 years and we just fell out of love,” she said.  “He wasn’t a bad person, in fact, he’s a really nice guy.  We still see each other.  It’s a shame, but sometimes it just happens.” 

Dolores told me that she has four children, so our conversation eventually centered on how difficult parenting can be.  “You know,” she said, “sometimes you just have to let them go.”  Then she added “but I’ll always be there for them if they need me.”  Dolores serves pancakes and wisdom.  And love.   Thanks Dolores. 

I left with both stomach and heart full.