“Welcome to Moe’s!”
Normally, that phrase would launch me into an extremely happy orbit. To hear it means I have entered that wonderful world of upscale Mexican fast food complete with football sized burritos and dishes named after pop-culture icons! But not today. Today it nearly brought me to tears.
You see I LOVE Mexican food! And while I’m not a huge fan of weapon-sized burritos, I love Billy Barou Nachos. Walking along picking out everything I want, leaving out what I don’t, is nacho heaven to me. Yes, steak, black beans, & queso! No shredded cheese & lettuce – it just wilts and ruins an otherwise perfect nacho experience. At Moe’s I am in complete control!
My problem – today I can’t eat at Moe’s – not one thing. I have some minor health issues, brought on by copious amounts of stress, which have to be addressed. To address them I am under strict dietary limitations for 40 days. In fact, the word strict seems such an understatement. We’re talking strict on steroids! If a comparison to parents were made, regular strict would apply to me. But strict in the sense I am using it applies to oh say, something like a cross between a retired drill sergeant and Fidel Castro.
While my children ordered, I sat in a booth embarrassed that I was so upset by not getting to eat at Moe’s. So I started thinking, why exactly was this bothering me so much? There was only one answer – I think I should get to eat whatever I want whenever I want. Growing up in a country where food is always plentiful and cheap this has become my norm. It’s what I expect. And within reason, it’s what I want. (Disclaimer here: As an avowed food snob I don’t expect to eat hot dogs, icky rubberized pieces of chicken or most anything from a drive thru window)
What a humbling experience! Normally, I have no problem delaying gratification in other areas of my life. Evidently, I do in this one. I could try and blame it on the fact that we were visiting Nashville and since moving to North Dallas, I haven’t seen a Moe’s. Or maybe, I could blame it on the fact that days of very plain, restricted food had me in a weak place. But if I am honest, I admit the bottom line; I was upset because I couldn’t have what I wanted.
So, I had two options. Chuck my hard work and give in to a huge plate of nachos or recognize that what I am working on right now is more important than food and it won’t last forever. I chose the later, fantasized about the former, and looked up the nearest location of Moe’s for when I’m back to Dallas. In a few weeks when starch is again allowed in my diet, I’ll make a drive and have a very different attitude as I walk through the door and hear, “Welcome to Moe’s!”
Love it! Thanks for sharing. It’s not easy to share the “unpretty” parts about us!
Okay, gotta go eat at Moe’s! (Or is that Joe’s? As in Crab Shack?) Anyway, is there one in Dallas? I’ll go with ya!