Going Real Here

I am going to tell you what I watched my friend do today... it's what I watch her do every single day. In the three years that I have known her she has not been absent one single day.

Her job title is listed as school custodian but she wears about ten other hats and still she manages to do it all with a smile on her face and the most wonderful sense of humor. In the hallway today she was cleaning up after a child that didn't quite make it to the bathroom but had perfect aim and timing as they managed to hit right in the center where four halls join in an area of the school during transition. Now you can tell 1st and 2nd graders to watch out but...yeah some well...they just didn't understand in time...

We actually had to shelter in place today for over an hour due to the weather. 5th graders who had been chugging water bottles were lined up and down the hall after we got the all clear ...through it all she kept her smile and addressed them with "how you doing baby?" "You having a good day?" Acknowledging each one of them...taking the time to talk to them as she mopped up their splashes from the sink area. Telling those with untied shoes to "tie those up baby." I have watched her tie so many shoes over the years.

As I walked in with my kids during lunch I overheard her telling some friends who had made some not so good choices that they are "better than this." When I came back to get my group I saw her cleaning down the long lines of tables. Ever see a cafeteria after 100 plus 5th graders had lunch? It's not pretty.

I swear she outworks ten people and seriously I have never her complain about anything. When I was leaving she was in one of the staff restrooms cleaning and still smiling telling me "have a good night my sweet." I just don't understand how some of the hardest working people who we would be so totally lost without don't earn what they should...she is priceless.