Meandering one day like a crew that had mislaid its compass, we stopped at a wayside pancake house. As we chattered inconsequentially, a server emerged from the kitchen with a full breakfast platter, slipped on some wet tile and fell spectacularly to the floor, legs splayed, one arm flailing. But she managed to hold perfectly intact the hotcakes, grits, sausage, fried apples and two eggs sunny-side-up. She got up unruffled, smoothed her apron, and served the waiting customer with aplomb as though this were some intricate floor exercise. Give it a perfect 10.
The restaurant clientele burst into applause. Few ice skaters, high-beam gymnasts or yogis have displayed such dexterity and composure. In the end, what we witnessed was not only fine-tuned physical discipline. It was a spiritual feat.
An Olympic gymnast?
Yes, Tom, that little twist was added with a wink of the eye! I’m sorry if the nuance was lost somehow between the lines!