Pasta, Prayer, and Roleplay with Danielle Beard

Brian Paris and Danielle Beard smile outside in front of an Olive Garden restaurant sign.

The class act, Danielle Beard is this week's guest on It's My Treat. She is a Chaplain, an Actor, a Musician, and Gamer. It was a treat to get a chance to have a conversation with her at Olive Garden today.

I know Danielle from the adult acting class that I am taking. I think she was a mix of excited and nervous to go for a meal today. I can understand why people can be a little nervous because it isn't often that we get a chance to talk about ourselves. Maybe that nervousness is a Midwestern trait, because I have seen it quite a bit when I have been talking to people about their lives. But I think Danielle's nervousness didn't last long because we got into some good conversations about many topics.

But before we go too far into that, let's talk about Olive Garden. I remember the old slogan, "When you're here, you're family." Definitely felt that way with the kindness of our waitress Emma (I think that was her name. Again, I am bad with names). Danielle went with the Never-Ending Pasta Bowl. I just went with the spaghetti and meatballs. I think I should have followed Danielle's example because she got not only a meal for lunch, but a take home meal too (along with a huge salad.) What a wonderful thing to get a second meal out of it. I started with the minestrone soup which was good. Liked the meatballs too. Didn't try the breadsticks because I didn't want to load up too much on carbs, but they did look delicious.

Danielle Beard sits at a restaurant table behind a large bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.

Brian smiles widely while holding a fork over a bowl of pasta with meatballs at Olive Garden.

At last week's acting class, I learned that Danielle is a Chaplain at a local hospital. It is such an important job. You are sometimes there with someone at their lowest moment. I can't imagine having to comfort those who are dying or who have lost a loved one. It is well beyond what I have the capability of handling. But Danielle does it and finds it fulfilling to be there for others. I am so thankful that she (and people like her) are available for those in need. I think it takes a special person to have that calling in life.

But having that are your job can be very stressful. When I asked Danielle why she was taking acting classes, she expressed how it was such a relief for her. It was a way to destress and get out of that mindset and just have a good time. I have found that acting is a source of healing for me too. I can lose myself into the characters and games that we play. My acting so far has not been super serious, and I have not pursued it outside of class, but Danielle has already been in a couple local productions and was recently cast in an upcoming production of A Christmas Carol. She's making her star turn. Good job by her.

A glass bowl filled with Italian salad topped with croutons, sliced tomatoes, pepperoncini, black olives, and shredded cheese.

Three warm Olive Garden breadsticks rest inside a wire basket lined with a white napkin.

Another thing that Danielle does to get away from the stress of her job is play online games. Currently playing Throne and Liberty, and Elder Ring. As I found with a previous guest, playing these MMORPG is a good way to bond with others. Danielle shares her love of gaming with the girl she is dating. The two of them met online and have been in an online long-distance relationship for over a year now. That is a long time to be together, so it sounds pretty serious. Danielle wants to go visit her in Hawaii soon so they can see how it goes in person. Finding love in paradise is so romantic. I really hope it works out for the two of them.

One thing that hasn't worked out as well as Danielle would like, is the conflict between being queer and her churches. The current local church that she goes to it accepting and affirming, but the larger church organization isn't as accepting. That is such a rough thing. I know how much good people have found from religion, but I also see the pain it can cause for lgbt individuals. I see love in Danielle's heart when she talks about her girlfriend. And really isn't love what it is all about? I am glad that her local church is good for her, but I wish everyone was a little more accepting of those who may be a little different.

A bowl of minestrone soup with vegetables and pasta is served with a spoon resting inside.

A bowl of spaghetti topped with red meat sauce and shredded parmesan cheese.

Danielle also talked about studying music education in college and her original plans to be a teacher. But after spending a year teaching for AmeriCorps, she found that it wasn't something that she enjoyed doing as much as she had hoped. Teaching is another one of those professions that requires a special sort of person to be able to do it. My hats off to those who can. It is such an important job. But Danielle's current job is also difficult and needed, so I guess we are lucky when we find our place where we belong.

Going to finish this up for now, but I anticipate another meal with Danielle in the future so we can dive more into her interesting life. Thank you, Danielle, for getting a meal with me!