Simply The Best

My wife and I are on a vacation tour as I write this.  We arranged for a private drive around the town we were visiting to see some sites that were not part of the official tour. 

Our driver, Manuel, was showing us those sites, but also taking time to explain to us foods of the area.  One was Nata, a traditional Portuguese custard yart with a flaky, buttery crust and creamy egg-based filing. Manuel pointed out the most popular bakery that made that pastry, as well as other pastries.  It was nearing 10:00 a.m. in the morning, and a long line had already formed to enter into that bakery.  It was obvious that it was the place to be. 

Then Manuel confided in us:  “The bakery next door was actually better.”  It made his favorite Nata.  Barb and I wanted to try the Nata, and chose instead to go to Manuel’s favorite bakery, Manteigaria.  In it we found one employee selling the Nata; two others were to the right of him making the Nata by hand, and nothing else was for sale. 

Barb and I each bought one Nata, thinking we would eat them later.  I suggested we just share one, and then save the other until later.  One bite—oh my gosh!  Both of the Natas were consumed in a matter of minutes. 

This occurred early in our trip.  While on the trip, we sampled Nata in other places.  They were just not the same.

Manteigaria was simply the best at making Nata.  All of the energy and focus was on being the best Nada makers.  They had the best recipe; they made them by hand; and made them fresh each morning.

Years ago, in 2004, we completely changed our practice.  I decided I really wanted to do one thing: serve seniors and those with a chronic illness in their continuum of life.  And I wanted us to be “simply the best.” 

I am very proud of my team at Clinkscales Elder Law Practice.  Most of them have experienced their own “journey” with a loved one.  All of them throw their heart and energy into the lives of the families we serve.  They celebrate joys and losses with those families.  They all strive to be the best they can.

I know the journey to be “the best” is a never ending journey, but we want families to know that when they come to us, they are going to get the very best team effort they can get:  to experience the very best “Nada”.