The people that you meet

In all of the jobs that I've had over the years, I've met a few characters. For some reason or another, I always seem to remember 'the good ones' and a few of the bad ones.

Now, owning my own business and working for myself, the people that I meet, and the connections that I make seem a bit more meaningful.

Like, the other day. Josh had a call from an older lady who lives in Bundaberg. She told him that she saw us on the TV (thanks Queensland Weekender!) and that she and her husband would like to come out and visit us for lunch.

Sure enough, a few days ago, she did. We had a bit of a chat while she was ordering. She kept apologizing for taking so long to get the money out of her wallet - with her arthritis, it made it hard for her fingers to do what she wanted. Her husband had a fall in November last year, and the surgeon botched the job (so he told me), and clanged around with his walking frame.

It became really apparent that they had made such a huge effort just to come out and visit our little winery.

After I bought them out their lunch, I went to top up their water and asked if everything was ok. With a big grin, the lady said that it was the best cheese board they had. "Even better than the one we had in New South Wales!" the husband chimed in.

We had a bit more of a chat. She told me what they were doing for Christmas. She asked if she could take some brochures to tell her friends. While she was looking around the shop, her husband went on a rant about the Chinese buying up all the farm land in Australia.

Before she left, she told me that they don't get out often, but they have had the most wonderful day. She thanked me for being so patient with her, and for the lovely lunch. Then she asked if she could give me a hug before she left.

Sometimes you just have to stop and appreciate that owning a winery isn't always about making wine.