For seven years, a waitress had to put up with one 89-year-old veteran's rude remarks and negative attitude.
He would come to the restaurant every day and order the same meal from the menu. Then, he suddenly stopped coming and she never saw him again. But he made sure she would never forget about him...
Walter Swords
Salazar has been working as a waitress at one restaurant for more than ten years. She knew all the regulars, and Walter Swords was one of them.
Walter was pretty rude to the servers and had high expectations. Salazar didn't enjoy serving him, but she didn't have another choice. Every time the 89-year-old veteran walked through the door, she would mentally prepare herself for the stressful day ahead of her.
He Was Grumpy
She dreaded serving the grumpy man, who always had something negative to say about her. He was so hard to please and was very picky about how he wanted his food.
He complained all the time, but Salazar was always polite and friendly to him. She was good at hiding her feelings. She recalls how Walter yelled at her and other servers if he didn't like something.
He Stopped Coming In
One day, Walter stopped coming into the restaurant. The servers and bartenders were relieved. They no longer had to deal with his horrible attitude.
But Salazar couldn't help but wonder what had happened to him. Why would he suddenly stop coming?
No One Knew What Happened To Him
She asked around about Swords, but no one gave her a clear answer. Some people said he must've gotten sick. Others believed he had moved to another city.
Eventually, Salazar learned the sad truth about her customer.
He Passed Away
Walter had passed away. Most servers were relieved to know that they would never have to deal with him again, but Salazar felt different.
Although he wasn't her favorite customer, she started to miss his sarcastic remarks. Deep down, she knew he was a good person. But this wouldn't be the last time she heard his name.
A Lawyer Reached Out To Her
A few days before Christmas, a lawyer informed Salazar that she was in Walter's will.
She was shocked. How was it possible?
She Was His Favorite Waitress
Salazar learned that she was Walter's favorite waitress, and he wanted to pay her back for everything she had done for him over the last seven years.
So what did he give her?
She Was Shocked
Salazar had never received anything like that from any customer before.
When Walter's lawyer told her what her client had left for her, Salazar was speechless. She needed a few minutes to recover from the shocking news.
One Last Tip
Walter left her $50,000 and his car, a 2000 Buick.
But how did Salazar react to his act of generosity? Did she accept his inheritance?
She Couldn't Believe It
"I still can't believe it," Salazar told Harlingen television station KGBT-TV.
She said Walter was "kind of mean" and always complained about his food.
He Wanted To Return The Favor
Salazar couldn't believe that Walter had done something so amazing for her. This gift was life-changing for her.
During his last days, Salazar was the only person who still talked to him because all the other servers refused to serve him. It seemed like he simply wanted to return the favor.
She Was Used To Difficult Customers
Salazar was used to difficult customers and knew how to deal with them professionally.
She had encountered hundreds of people who didn't show her the kindness and respect she deserved.
She Never Took It Personally
However, Salazar never took it personally and was always professional and polite to each and every customer she served.
Her story should encourage other servers to be more patient with their customers, even those who behave rudely.
Be Professional
So the next time a customer cusses you out, give them a warm smile and walk away.
You never know what people are going through and why they behave the way they do.