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Monday, May 11, 2009

Tuesday Tribute- Mr. Alex (the Doughnut Guy)


It was a cloudy Friday morning, and like every Friday morning my son and I stopped by the Donut King to get his usual: 2 chocolate doughnuts with sprinkles. It's like Groundhog Day every Friday. My son and I go in, Mr. Alex comes out from behind the counter and says, "Hi, boy (even though he knows his name) how's your daddy?" My son replies, "Good", then holds up two fingers and says, "2 please." Mr. Alex knows exactly which "2" my son is refering to and puts them in the bag. Then I pay and my son says, "Receipt please." Mr. Alex tears off the receipt tape and my son gets extra excited if it happens to be a real long tape. I think my son has acquired enough receipt tape to go from California to New York. Like I said, Groundhog Day, because this scene plays out EVERY Friday. Last Friday, we pull up to the shop along with another car. Two boys hop out of the car and go in first, I began to feel a twinge of fear. As my son and I walk in my fear is confirmed...no chocolate doughnuts with sprinkles. It appears the boys in front of us have bought the last ones. My son hasn't noticed yet and I began to think, "Hmm, maybe I can convince him to get a white frosted doughnut with sprinkles, they are almost exactly the same except for the frosting, or maybe I should just tell him to take the plunge and try something completely new like a chocolate bar, (NO! are you crazy now is not the time to try to make him do something totally new!)....think, think. Then, he notices the chocolate doughnuts with sprinkles are MIA and he starts to breathe heavy and get that "bristly" look about him. He starts to ask over and over where the doughnuts are. Now, I go into damage control mode and I make up my mind that we are going to stay calm and not let this ruin his whole day (okay self, put all these new found strategies to work). Just as I am crouching down to be at eye level with my son, Mr. Alex leans over the counter and shakes a bag in front of my face. Yes, my hero, Mr. Alex saved my son his doughnuts and his entire day. I was so grateful I could have kissed him!! I know what some might be thinking, "boy, she is easy to please". Seriously, I know what I just described may sound like this is just a case of a spoiled kid, but no, my son is not a spoiled brat who just throws tantrums because he doesn't get his favorite doughnuts. This is not just about 2 chocolate doughnuts, but about the entire routine. My son is unique, or in the words of a doctor at the UC San Francisco Autism/Asperger clinic "an interesting case". From a very early age my son has struggled with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, along with other "atypical" behavior. He is very ritualistic, and the slightest deviation from his "normal" can disrupt his entire day. Some people are very compassionate and understanding and others...well, not so much. Mr. Alex is one of the good guys. Well, I always knew that. The fact that he takes the time to humor my son by giving him the receipt tape and listen to his crazy little stories every Friday morning qualifies him for good guy status in my book. So, thank you Mr. Alex and know that your future in the doughnut business is secure because I would get a second mortgage on my house to keep you in business if I had to!!

Tuesday's Tribute

20 comments:

Amy said...

I might just have to kiss him too when I come visit! Real American Hero......Thank you Mr. Donut Man for going that extra mile to make a little boys day!

The hubs said that Mr. Alex will probably be doing that for Little Man L for the rest of his life. :) You just might have to keep him in business.

Lady Di said...

Trust me, I have considered the possibility that I may have to bankroll Mr. Alex. Trust me

Amy said...

Seriously Di - We really shouldn't be meeting like this! There is this thing called a bed. It really is a great invention! You actually can SLEEP on it. You can add pillows and blankets anything really - it is quite a concept.

Lady Di said...

Well, my hubby is not home right now and I am still doing laundry... arghhh!! Hey, maybe if we keep this up we can give ourselves like 20 comments it will look really good on the blog. People will think WOW they have lots of comments and then they'll click and find out it's just us crazy insomniacs. Hee, Hee

Amy said...

That's funny! WE should really get on Facebook and IM except I am hopefully going to go to bed and should stay clear of FB. I am sure your Mom has sent me 50 requests from the last time I logged in about an hour ago! i needed 4 pigs for my farm. J/k I love pigs and I love you Mama Fran. :0)

That husband of yours. Mine just came out to check on the little one and gave me the look like "ARe you serious!" I know what he is thinking -We ARE getting up @5am to workout. COME TO BED! I'm off- seriously I am. You should to - you have work crazy lady! Forget the laundry, it will be there tomorrow. Did you check out the FB on Sits? her first post is hilarious.

Lady Di said...

Holy Crap Amy, the craziest thing just happened!! I was sitting in my living room. You know..reading blogs, making comments...when I heard a man walking into the house. What's this?? I hear the dryer door open, the water running in the washer. I'm confused...who is this strange man and is he actually changing a load of, dare I say...LAUNDRY!! I must get up and investigate to see whether this person truly is my husband and look into his eyes to see any traces of an alien life form that may have possibly taken over his body while he was out checking fields tonight.

Amy said...

Seriously you must call me tomorrow and let me know that you are okay and have not been abducted by a strange alien form who is attracted to laundry! He might just be making sure that you know what you are doing before he keeps your for his own and makes you a laundry slave - Oh wait that has already happened!

Seriously I am going to bed. P90X baby in 4 hours!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Sometimes it's the smallest things that other's do that make the biggest difference in our lives.

Frantic Holly said...

What an awesome guy Mr. Alex is! So glad he was able to save the day.

Amy said...

That is the best story I have heard in a long time. He was so sweet to do that for your son. I would go there all of the time also. How sweet. Love the story.

Claremont First Ward said...

Now THAT is a business I would never stop frequenting either. I loved this post.

Stephanie said...

That is an amazing story! If that doughnut man was anywhere near me I would make sure he was the only person I ever bought my sweets from again. Proves there are nice people in the world.

Design It Chic said...

I love that your son asks for receipts! He's a very organized little fellow:)
And thank goodness Mr. Alex is one of those kind guys kze he definitely saved the day! Kudos to Mr. Alex!!!

Happy Tuesday!!

(fella' SITS-ta here)

monica said...

Great Tuesday post and what a great guy Mr. Donut Man is! I wish there were more people in the world like Mr. Alex. Diana - You are still with us right? Did the alien capture you and take you back to the his plantent?

kisatrtle said...

That is a great tribute. Long live the doughnut guy!

Cat said...

You two are great! I just found your blog on SITS. Totally following!

I have a little boy with "special needs" too. It is so refreshing to find moms out there to relate to!!

High Five to the donut guy! I love it when people are so caring.

Lo said...

Your son exists for sprinkles, mine for chocolate milk! Love Mr. Alex! I'm having a giveaway on my blog. Come by and enter!

Unknown said...

I love it...and I love Mr. Alex too now! Don't you just wish more people could be like that? It really doesn't seem like much at all. And I hope your son gets to meet many more "Mr. Alex's" in his lifetime that realize how special he is!

Little Lady Cakes said...

I cried. I'm such a sap!

I love nice people. They are so rare.

I love donuts, too. Just not as much. :)

Well, maybe.

Unknown said...

How nice.Your son is adorable!

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