Who are they?

I woke up to read this story on social media about a person name Rocky that has been a janitor at his school for over thirty years. His dedication to the kids at the school has been appreciated by them. They showed him the same respect as he has towards them.

I call her my mini me because she has the same birth month as me and we both were born with a distinctive native face (head to be exact).

You'd be surprised the important role a janitor has on a child's life. When I was going to my first years of school I didn't have friends. I was and still am a weird child. Back then it was a communication issue. I didn't speak English and no one talked to me so you can imagine how lost I may have looked. There was a janitor at school and I still remember his name, Mr. Cox. he always greeted me, smiled, and made small talk but only so that I could understand him. He didn't know it but he was the only friend I had. I went into the next grade and into the next. I then ended up going to the next school. By that time my little sisters began to go to the same school where Mr. cox worked. I'd meet my sisters and he'd still say hello and he remembered my name. He'd tell me he would always keep an eye out for my sisters as long as he was there. By then my English was getting better. He was always so nice to me and my sisters. He would at times try to communicate with my parents when they had to go to school. By the time I was in high school he no longer worked there. I'd like to think he stayed long enough to see my sisters go through the grades. He never knew how important it was for him to say hello and to be the only friend I had. He was the only adult to take time to ask me how I was doing. Maybe he saw me struggling and on my own.

When you see a janitor or a person of maintenance do you greet them by their name? Do you say hello? They are as important as the person behind a desk. I'll never forget Mr. Cox. I thank him for being him.

I went to my niece's school today to have lunch. I sat in a small orange chair. Good news I didn't break it. I sat next to her with her little friends whispering if I was her mom. She'd whisper back and say I was her aunt. I'd hate to ever hear she had been bullied. Times have changed for the better. Here I was having lunch with her surrounded by little friends able to communicate with them while I, at her age, didn't know how to say what I wanted to eat. I loved the experience I had with her. It was my first and it wont be the last.

After watching and reading the story of Mr. Rocky, it reminded me of how important someone with his title can be to the people that know him.

 

spicy or regular ketchup

Having lunch with my dad today like a normal Monday. My way of getting him out of the house and talking. We mainly talk about politics and what is new with the family. How he is feeling? There was a line to order, so I told my dad to have a seat as I waited for my turn. I spotted a particular young individual calling out the numbers and asking people if they wanted spicy or regular ketchup. Some couldn't make out what he was asking but some did. The person in front of me told the cashier how good it was that they had hired him. It really gave us a sense of appreciation for the place. I sat down and told my dad if he had spotted the same particular young individual? He said yes. We all need a job. I told him that if he was able to get one there was no excuse for the people that don't look for one. He called out our number, came to us, and asked if we wanted regular or spicy ketchup. He was so polite. You could hear his fellow associates giving him praise for how good he was working. I heard his manager tell him he wished the rest of his crew were as dedicated as him. No one complained but I was ready to make my stand if someone had a problem with it.

All I could think about was Trevor, and how it would be cool if he had a job. He wants to feel needed. He wants to work. He wants to feel as normal as anyone else. How I wished and hoped that he would get that chance.

We happened to get some good news today. How crazy the world works. How earlier today I was thinking about him having the same opportunities and now to find out he will soon be starting his new job. Heather talked to her mom today and heard the good news. Trevor will be not only in his senior year of high school but also a young special needs guy with a job. So happy to hear that he has been given this opportunity. Can't wait to hear his stories. I'm pretty sure his work stories will be much better than mine. Love the way God hears us even when we don't expect it.