A MOTHER AND SON UNIFICATION

I am an Accountant, a landed immigrant for eight years and a resident of Calgary. After several years of separation with my Mom, I invited her to visit Canada to share the holiday season of Christmas with me. My mother, Luz, who is 68 years old and about to celebrate her birthday on December 22, was given a visa for six (6) months to stay in Canada. Finally, my opportunity has come to be with my Mom and promised her that I will make it a memorable one.

Among the itineraries to visit are Banff, Lake Louis and Jasper. Last October 30, 2016, we went to Lake Louise, my Mom was so happy and stunned to see the beauty of nature, I can see how she enjoyed the place and she noticed the castle-like hotel of the Fairmont. Then I decided to bring her in and have a dinner at the Poppy Brasserie.

We were welcomed by the hostess and lead to the window side table overlooking the lake and mountains. Moment after, the server Rachel gave us a warm smile and took our order. We arrived early before 5pm and so the dining room was quiet, we were laughing while we reminisce the past especially my childhood days. Then, another server in black uniform came in with our French Onion Soup and he announced it while serving, showed a pleasant smile and asked if there is anything else that he can do for us. My Mom noticed that he is Asian, and started to ask him where he came from, then the nice conversation goes along the way. I can see the excitement of my Mom while talking to this server named John, and started to call my Mom as "Mommy", then I heard my Mom calling him "son". I was so happy to see them both having a short conversation, it was like a mother and son connection, John showed a genuine interest on my Mom, and I may say that he captured the heart of my mom, then later we found out that he lost his mother at the early age of five. He then excuse his self for serving another table, and my Mom reminded him to come back and to take a picture of us when the main entree's are serve.

After taking the soup, we had a short break then John came back to serve our food, the Lamb Navarin and Bison Bourgignon. Rachel came and described the food perfectly, then we asked John to take us a picture, and he did it very well focusing with a nice background view and a fascinating food on the table. We started our dinner and shared our food together, the meat were so tasty and tender, we love every piece on the plate and the price is absolutely satisfactory.

Overall experience, the place is awesome, the foods are fantastic, the people are hospitable and warmth, the service is impeccable! And before we leave, my Mom was looking for the server John (her another son, lol) and I told her that he might be busy at the back, I promised my Mom that we will surely come back again here before the end of her stay. Every son will definitely feel glad and proud to see that their Mom is happy, and it happened here at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a truly remarkable dining experience!

--- Erwin Mar Valenzuela
General Public Accountant
Calgary, Albert