Maria and I get up every Sunday morning, and we ask ourselves what we should do – make breakfast at home or see Ninah, our friend and waitress at Jean’s. We just love her, and she seems to return the favor. Like the other wait staff at Jean’s, Nina is a social worker and a waitress – she babysits for the staff if they get too busy; she knows every single customer by heart and name and has their coffee waiting for them before they sit down.

She is a Nuclear Grandma, soothing people when they are in pain or have lost someone they love. She greets everyone (she knows about my brain injury and tells me every week to take it easy; she loves Maria and hugs her repeatedly, asking me if I know how lucky I am.

And I hear her talking to every person in booths out on the tables; she hugs everyone and asks about their grandmothers and fathers and their health. and happiness. And she cares. Every week, I’m scolded for not resting more to get over my concussion. No amount of denials seems to work. She only accepts answers from Maria.

(Painting on the wall, Jean’s Place. Painter unknown.)

Ninah is a pleasure. I loved my grandmother; Nina reminds me of her. Sometimes, I think she is everyone’s grandmother.

It feels more like a family dinner than a diner. I photographed the diner this morning, capturing itsextraordinaryl atmosphere. The egg sandwiches are pretty amazing as well. The big men of Hoosick Falls are always at the counter. Jean’s is much more than a restaurant in Hoosick Falls; it’s a community all of its own.

The counter, Jean’s Place (and Ninah). She knows everyone.