The Pizza Man

   Sometimes you just never know when that miracle will come, or  what form it will take.  That's what is was tonight.  Friday night, who wants to cook, so the family is off for pizza. We went to a place I went to for the first time a few weeks ago.  It was the first time in a long time I had real New York style pizza.  There was something about it, delicious for sure, and yet, something more.  Tonight, I was going to find out what that was.

    I gave my order to the owner, and after I did so, he gives me two small slices for free, asking me to taste them and tell him what I thought. "It's a new crust I'm trying, let me know".   I thanked him and tried the slices. I didnt notice much of a difference, other than they were delicious as usual.  Before we knew it, the pizza came out to the table, and as before, I thoroughly enjoyed it, not knowing what I was about to experience.

  As the last slices were being finished, the owner made his way to our table.  "How was the pizza?' he asked.  "Delicious as always", I replied.  "Good, I'm glad you liked it."  He then asked some general questions, like if it was the first time we were, there, and other small talk.

  Then, however, the miracle started to happen.  The past few days had taken an emotional toll, and doubts about my private practice were swirling in my mind.  As he spoke, I got the overwhelming feeling I was in the presence of someone who has mastered "The Secret", you remember, the DVD and book sensation.  He spoke of his passion for his pizzeria, the opportunities he gives his workers, but most of all, how he manifests things. For example, how once one of his pizza makers left, and instead of panicking, he went home to take a nap.  As he was leaving the pizzeria, he bumps into someone who asks for a job, as, you guessed it, a pizza maker.  "I can't explain how it happens", he said, "but it always does.  My father was the same way. He could tell things about people."

   He went on.  "I know there is a God, I dont go to church or anything, but I just know.  I dont pray or anything, I dont ask for money or things.  I just ask for health, and to be able to give to people.  The rest, the money, it just comes, it always does."  I was mesmerized, literally hanging on every word.  It was probably all of twenty minutes, but it felt like time didnt pass at all. "I don't worry or ask why when things happen. I just stay calm, because I know."

  It was all exactly what I needed to hear. It resonated in my very soul.  I couldn't have scripted it better myself.  He talked of his success, his plans for other restaurants, his welcoming of competition opening nearby, knowing they wont make pizza like he does, with knowledge, of the old ways, from the old country.

  As my spirit received the balm it needed, he said, "It was nice talking to you". I introduced myself and shook his hand.   As he shook my hand, I swear he somehow knew the effect he had on me.  I knew he did, I saw it in the twinkle in his eye, and in his smile, as he walked to the next table.  Perhaps, I thought, God sent him to that table too.