Man fulfills longtime dream by spending a night as a waiter at area restaurant
By KAREN CLARK

Special thanks to The Derrick for allowing this story to be posted

By Jerry Sowden -Clyde Jackson serves up orders at Bit-n-Spurs with the help of owner Tracy Rivers.

Extra large portions of love served with patience and kindness as a side dish were featured on the menu Thursday evening at Bits-n-Spurs Restaurant in Seneca.

In the late afternoon hours, Clyde Jackson came bouncing through the back door of the Western-themed restaurant declaring, "On my way to work, on my way to work." Jackson's jubilation exploded into a resounding "Yeah!" as employees fitted him with an apron, pad, pen and a hat in preparation for his evening as a waiter.

Jackson is a 65-year-old client of United Community Independence Programs (UCIP), which teaches independent living and life skills to mentally and physically handicapped individuals. He resides in an apartment on Ranch Street in Seneca with his bride of just more than one year, Mary Jane, 54.

For as long as anyone can remember, Jackson has been telling anyone who would listen that he always wanted to be a waiter. Caretaker Jeannie Lee drives the Jacksons to the restaurant of their choice on a weekly basis and said he repeats that sentiment wherever he goes.

His dream-come-true adventure began about six weeks ago during a conversation with Bits-n-Spurs owner Tracy Rivers, a woman who personifies the theme of her establishment with a heart the size of Texas.

"We've been here six years and they have been coming in as long as I can remember. He's really expressed an interest all along, but more so in the last six months. I told him, you can come to work for me," said Rivers.

"I've been fortunate enough in my life to always be able to do what I wanted. Just to see that smile, I figured if I can do that for him, why not," said Rivers.

Jackson took Rivers at her word.

However, the process of turning him into a waiter hit a bump in the trail due to some health issues concerning Mary Jane.

The Jacksons met while living in separate group homes. "They fell in love, just like you and I would. They are devout Christians and wanted to get married in the church," said Lee. More than 250 people attended their wedding and reception in May 2002.

After Mary Jane's health improved, Clyde was back on the path of his longing.

Alma Britt, who is Tracy Rivers' mother and an employee at the restaurant, was on hand Thursday to help ease Clyde into his role. "Did you get your wages figured out, how much are you getting paid?," she asked.

Rivers chided in with, "Do you remember when we talked about your pay Clyde?, I think we said $3 per hour plus your tips, is that right?," she queried.

"I want a check," he said giggling. "I'm gonna get people their food."

With a gleam in his eye and a look of pride on his face, he turned toward his wife and said, "I'm working Mary Jane, I'm working."

Thursday was not the first time Clyde has had a job. He retired last year from the Venango Training and Development Center in Seneca, where Mary Jane continues to work packaging items for shipping. Mary Jane is at her job six to seven hours a day, five days a week, while Clyde is at the Life Skills building right next door reinforcing his learned practices.

Shortly before 5 p.m., friends, family, caretakers and fellow UCIP clients, 26 in all, began filing into the restaurant. Among the clientele were Clyde's brother Lester and his wife, Linda, and Mary Jane's cousin Charley Quigley and his wife, Lea.

The Quigleys said they had seen Clyde a few days ago and he couldn't stop talking about his upcoming venture.

"This is a cool thing, it's really exiting," enthused brother Lester. As he spoke, Clyde could be heard in the background saying, "I'm a waiter, what do you want?"

One girl replied, "I want meatloaf."

"I can get that for you, I can get that," said Clyde.

Clyde worked diligently throughout the evening, going back and forth between the kitchen and dining room, delivering dinners, drinks and necessary condiments. One of the last dinners out of the kitchen belonged to Mary Jane.

"I got it for you Mary Jane, I got it. I'm a good waiter," Clyde said as he served her food and then promptly sat down to order his own dinner.

"These people (at Bits-n-Spurs) bend over backwards for our clients. I have never been anywhere that treats our clients with more respect. At a lot of places they are stared at, but here they are welcomed," Lee said.

"It went really well tonight," Rivers said.

A sign posted in the restaurant seemed to sum it all up: "There are only two emotions that belong on the saddle. One is a sense of humor and the other is patience."