He also serves who stands and hands out towels...

I believe that I am fortunate because I have been blessed to have had many rewarding and enlightening experiences in my life. And in a somewhat karmic mindset of thanks, I have tried to pass on my experiences to others in hopes that they may, in some small way, be enriched by them if even for a moment. And many of the things that have had the most impact on me have had nothing to do with balloons and cakes, or rollercoaster rides, or even Whack-A-Mole. Many of them have come from the most unexpected places. Several years ago, a companion and I visited a very nice restaurant in NYC. The environment was very
pleasant; somewhat of a cross between a high-end steakhouse with wonderful indoor/outdoor dining and a 'typical' top-shelf Midtown dining house. There was a very nice piano bar that was inconspicuously tucked away near the rear of the restaurant, and the soft jazz from the keyboard wafted from the rear and seemed
to wash over us while we dined on our appetizers; bacon-wrapped scallops topped with just a dollop of crab imperial and our entrees of the most impeccably prepared steaks. The lighting in the establishment was perfect and our waiter and server were like experts in their craft. The meal was sumptuous and the experience quite memorable. And based on the quality of the food and the atmosphere and the service, the bill of $140.00 was quite reasonable. In fact, for downtown NYC it was a bargain!  

As we were finishing our coffees and preparing to leave, I excused myself to go downstairs to the men's room. I walked down the plushly carpeted stairs and across the common area to the men's room. I pushed the big oak door open and walked in and there, I found myself in one of the most uncomfortable situations I could remember. Here I am standing in this incredibly 'plush' bathroom in this expensive restaurant and there, sitting on a stool to the side of the door was a young man, no more than 24-25 years old smiling, and holding a few towels on his lap. In as un-awkward a manner as I could muster, I nodded, smiled and said, "How're you doing?" And it wasn't one of those questions you ask when you really want to know how someone's doing, or even one that you expect (or hope) to get an honest answer. It was one of those questions one asks when there's nothing else that comes to mind. The kind of question that one asks until the discomfort of a situation dissipates. The kind of question that can be translated into, "Well, I feel really awkward right now and don't know what the hell to say and it doesn't really matter because it won't make things any easier so I'm gonna' just spew this out and feign interest and kindness because I kinda' have this feeling in my gut that I'm going to burst into flames at any moment..." He smiled, nodded back and said, "Good evening, sir. I'm doing fine." Bullshit. I knew he wasn't doing "fine". He was sitting here in this cramped, ambient-lighted urinal waiting for men to finish peeing so that he could hand them a towel to wash their hands. So there we were. I moved forward to the urinal which unmercifully was only about 4 meters from the stool on which he sat. So I'm standing there now, feeling his eyes burning a hole in my back while I try to clench to almost force my bladder to do its job so I could get out of there. Finally, I was done. I moved over to the sink without looking up; without even looking into the mirror lest my eye caught his. I almost dreaded turning the water off because I knew what was next. He would have to mentally review his job description to make sure he completed all the steps that were outlined when he interviewed for this job. Before I could completely turn toward him, his hand was extended, holding a fresh towel for me. I said "Thanks" with all the confidence of a shy man in a Victoria's Secret salon in the mall. I dried my hands and then experienced the second most awkward moment of the night. I remembered that I had no cash. I didn't even feign looking for money that I knew wasn't there and instead, quickly said, "I'll be right back!" I left the bathroom, dashed upstairs and got money from my dinner companion. She asked why and I just said I would explain later. I went back downstairs and into the bathroom and handed him the money, apologizing as I did. He smiled broadly and said "Thank you so much!"

After we left the restaurant, I couldn't help but think about what condition one must be in to have to stoop so low as to have to sit in the bowels of a restaurant watching men come and go, peeing and washing, and drying their hands, and only feel like an insignificant blip on their radar, and hoping they give you a dollar or two. But then, I thought about what kind of strength of conviction and courage and determination one must have to himself or his family to be able to stand so high as to sit in the bowels of a restaurant watching men come and go, peeing and washing, and drying their hands, and only feel like an insignificant blip on their radar, and hoping they give you a dollar or two. It was an invaluable lesson for me that night, after my expensive meal in the expensive restaurant in the heart of NYC. I saw humility. I saw pride. I saw strength of character.

He also serves who stands and hands out towels.