lady stands waiting
decent person trying to
survive a tough life
On my commute to work I pass a lady, standing on the side of the road.
I am sure she is waiting for a ride to work.
She is dressed in the uniform of a hotel housekeeper which isn’t unusual since my commute takes me out to resort island on the coast of the South Carolina low country.
Some mornings she is standing with a young boy about 10 years old.
Both wear backpacks.
I want to stop and offer her a ride but I don’t.
This morning I happened to be listening to an audio book (The Guardians by John Grisham) and just as I pass the lady standing and waiting, I hear the words, “… a decent guy trying to survive a tough life.”
Mr. Grisham was describing someone in the book.
But the words hit me, looking at the lady as I passed.
She is there everyday.
She shows up for work and if the traffic works, she shows up on time.
Probably not working for much beyond minimum wage.
Working.
Working hard.
Working hard to make things nice for people who are on the island for a vacation.
Decent person trying to survive a tough life.
Type of person this country was built on.
So why?
Why aren’t we trying to help this lady?
Why do so many people seem to hate this lady?
Decent person trying to survive a tough life.
Isn’t that a description that any one of us would want?
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free?
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
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