He was a seven-year-old little boy. We, his young parents, struggled to make ends meet and spent no money on extras like restaurants for Joseph and his two little brothers.
As we gathered around the dinner table one evening, Joseph innocently asked, “Someday, can we go out to eat somewhere fancy where we have to wear a tie, somewhere like Golden Corral?”
The Boyfriend and I locked eyes across the table, working hard to contain our laughter. At that moment, we knew that we had to make it a financial priority to take our boy out to eat at least once a month.
The following Friday, around the breakfast table, I surprised my then 3-year-old, 5-year-old, and 7-year-old sons, “Tonight, after Daddy gets home from work, we’re all going out to eat.” Thunderous applause and squeals of joy! “And guess what, Joseph?” I announced, “We’re going to Golden Corral.”
I was in my bedroom late that afternoon, changing out of my peanut butter-stained mommy clothes and touching up my makeup, when Joseph knocked on my bedroom door. “Mama, will you help me clip my red tie on?”
I didn’t have the heart to tell my excited little boy, sporting his Sunday best, that a tie wasn’t necessary for the Golden Corral buffet line. And so I clipped that little tie on my son’s starched Oxford shirt.
Fast forward twenty-eight years.
After hearing this story about the brother-in-law she’s never met, my sweet daughter-in-law suggested we all dress up and go to Golden Corral for dinner in memory of Joseph. We did so Friday night for his 35th Birthday.
Happy Birthday in heaven, Joseph. We can’t wait to see you again.
Love you always,
Mama