r/MadeMeSmile • u/nun_CARTII • Aug 23 '26

Good Vibes the value of being kind

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For nearly seven years, waitress Melina Salazar showed extraordinary patience and kindness to Walter “Buck” Swords, a notoriously difficult customer at Luby’s Cafeteria in Brownsville, Texas.

The 89-year-old WWII veteran frequently complained, cursed at staff, demanded piping-hot meals and never left a tip. Despite this, Melina continued serving him with compassion.

After Walter died in 2007, Melina received an incredible surprise. He had left her $50,000 and his 2000 Buick in his will as a heartfelt thank-you for her unwavering kindness.

A powerful reminder that kindness can touch people more deeply than we realize.

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u/ManzanitaSuperHero Aug 23 '26

So it’s ok to be awful to someone for 7 years (!) as long as you pay for the privilege?

Being a little gruff is one thing. “Cursing at staff”? I don’t find this heartwarming at all.

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u/PopUpClicker Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26

No it is not. But it shows some people notice kindness even if they don't have the capacity to reciprocate. It is heartwarming in the sense that even though some people may seem bad or angry all the time, it might not be all they are.

Edit: I don't have the time to respond to everyone, who thinks what I said is, somehow, support of bad behaviour. I recommend reading the first sentence again. People are suffering from trauma of upbringing, war, sickness and even "just" to get by. Many of those who suffer the most will interact with us in a bad way. I chose to believe that those who do that to me, are contributing the positivity that life has led them to be able to express.

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u/Lazy_Assistance6865 Aug 23 '26

Thank you for your compassion. 

I've had a shit year. 

Totaled my car. 

Lost my job of 8 years 3 months after coming back from having my second baby. 

Eldest was hospitalized and nearly died from random allergic reaction (that all tests have been inconclusive for the trigger)

Father figure Grandpa put on hospice for dementia EoL care

Having to put my dog of 12 years down with only 24hrs notice to accept it.

I've been a HUGE bitch to anyone who happens to get me during a bad day. I always apologize after being said bitch. But I still feel horrible for lashing out on people just doing their job.

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u/CertainInteraction4 Aug 23 '26

It's been a hard time for me too; between some tragic and horrific circumstances.  I won't say I lash out, but I'm not the pushover I used to be.  I call people out on their obvious b.s. and try to CMA as much as possible.  This has given some of the people who used to push my buttons a bad taste in their mouth. Some days I care.  Some days I don't.  

I don't think the money makes up for what he put this young lady through.  A lot of people assume money can fix everything.  It can't.  She was working a tipped service job.  Did he ever once consider what was going on in her life vs his own?