Alley Cat Mom
My girls call me Alley Cat Mom. That is because they never know from where they might receive a phone call from me. I might be down some country road that I haven't traveled for a long time, or some 'off road' where I spied a gorgeous unique tree, or in some alley reading names on old buildings. Or, I could be sitting out in the middle of 'No Where' just enjoying the beauty of my Lord.
By doing things like this, I have the opportunity to observe lots of things and people. This is the reason I first saw the person I'm getting ready to tell you about.
I was on my way to open my tanning salon at 6:00 A.M., but as usual, I was driving around before I went to work. I saw her coming up the Stoddard Street hill pulling some sort of cart behind her. I had no idea where she was going, but I later learned she was on her way to work. She had no car and the Lord knows if I had to face that hill every morning, I may not have ever made it to work.
I later discovered where she worked. I don't know if I have ever in all the years I have gotten to know her, know of a day she has missed work. I believe she puts her life at risk each time she goes to work. In fact, she was injured on the job once a few years back. But still she goes.
She has dogged determination and a smile on her face for everyone. To me, she is a joy to see and I would miss her terribly if she ever stopped doing her job.
She no longer has to walk to work and I am thankful for that. I still don't know anything about her except her loyalty to her work and seeing her smiling face each day as I pass her standing in her location, selling copies of The Daily Statesman at the intersection of Walnut and Business 60.
I, as well as most of you, have seen her standing in the worst heat of summer, the coldest of cold days, in the snow, sleet and pouring down rain.
About the same time frame as I first began seeing her as I was making my early morning rounds, I would encounter, every morning, a young man, also coming up the Stoddard Street hill, but he was always on a bicycle. He was dressed in a white, long sleeved dress shirt with a black tie. I never knew for sure where he was going, but someone told me he also was on his way to work. He always stuck out in my mind because of the way he dressed. Those of you who know my Collin, knows he loves to dress in a dress shirt, tie and suit or sports coat. Oh, and it is an absolute must that his shoes are polished.
The point of my story is that in this day of free hand outs of everything from medical, to food and all in between, I have such respect for these two people whom I personally saw on their way to work in all kinds of weather and without the use of a motor vehicle, and, climbing that hill.
These two individuals come to my mind every time I hear someone give me an excuse as to why they can't work. The problem is, in many cases, they don't want to work. It is too easy to accept hand outs.
When I see my 73 year old husband with many disabling medical problems go out the door to work and I know of young healthy men who use every excuse there is to keep from going to work, I have a HUGE problem with that.
Well, I need to get off my soap box. This column is about my heroes and heroines. They are Bonnie Webb, who is the lady standing in the middle of the intersection paying her way in life selling daily newspapers. She puts her life in jeopardy every day with drivers like me, and probably you, and the crazies out there. The other is the young man whom I don't know or his name. Plus, all you other workers who get up every morning or night to go to your perspective jobs to make a living for you and your families. My hat is off to all of you. You are my heroes and heroines every day.
See ya next time somewhere in a 'korner'.
REMEMBER: IF ANY WOULD NOT WORK, NEITHER SHOULD HE EAT. (II THESSALONIANS 3:10)
Kdover28@gmail.com - 573-820-2404 or blog on Daily Statesman blogs
Comments
- -- Posted by bobbysue on Tue, Oct 11, 2011, at 7:50 PM
- -- Posted by us traveler on Fri, Oct 14, 2011, at 9:49 AM
- -- Posted by kd5475 on Fri, Oct 14, 2011, at 12:51 PM
- -- Posted by South Bound Lady on Mon, Oct 17, 2011, at 11:09 AM
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