“The teacher says she doesn’t listen. She is not paying attention.”
- Overheard conversation as I walked out of Albertsons
A mom on her cell phone talking to someone also interested in this little girl not “listening” to the teacher or paying attention to her work. When I reached my car, I sat for a while thinking – how many times did I use those same phrases as a teacher for thirty years. I would like to say never but the truth be: countless times. Then I thought about the last couple of days when I wasn’t paying attention:
Standing in front of the elevator pushing the button on my car keys and wandering why the elevator door didn’t open.
Everyday asking for bath towels and having them make a special trip to bring to me when on the fourth day, I realized I never looked up to see four towels stored for my use. I appreciated knowing the words: ‘Lo siento mucho’ and had a good laugh with this wonderful woman taking care of the rooms.
Hunting for my glasses without realizing they are on top of my head; and the continual problem of hunting for a special dental product when I was so sure I had paid attention to placing them down carefully.
Here is a mom, a daughter and a teacher – all three who care very much for each other and what will the conversation be around the supper table…
“Sit. Be still. And listen…for you are drunk and we are at the edge of the roof.”
- Rumi, 13th century
I just like the quote by Rumi.
I continued on to take care of stuff and at the same time, be open. Out of respect for this young woman, I will not mention the place where she works as a hair dresser. After a little bit of talking in general, she offered the info that she was homeless at one time in her life with two kids and that Albuquerque had great resources. She said she does not talk about this time not because she is ashamed. “I am not ashamed of having been homeless but other people at work would start seeing me differently.” She is very talented in cutting hair and from watching her with others, designing.
Late afternoon, I used the service of a taxi driver who was extremely empathetic toward the homeless, both adults and kids. He knew of the different programs, services and shelters after driving a cab for fifteen years in Albuquerque. He understood how extremely difficult it was to get out of being homeless once you were – especially as an adult. He also had a feeling for the kids trying to go to school and be living the life they were after school. I had asked him about the homeless in the city.
This was my day to listen. Another cab driver bringing me back ‘home’ started talking. My opening question to most people in these circumstances is “Do you like your job?” His response was immediate and with enthusiasm: “Yes!” He had been in retail as a manager and gave it all up to become a cab driver. Less stress, more freedom, out with people and this is leading him to not only think about going back to school but he has enrolled in a career school as well as on line to do what he really wants: criminal justice. So he is slowly starting his journey to become a detective some day.
What was remarkable, without knowing my work, he mentioned that he was homeless for two years in Los Angeles and I forget the other state. He has worked his way out of depression. He is in a good place and in my opinion has much to offer. On telling him what I do, he told me of two families he knows currently that lost their jobs and after months of slowing going downhill, they are now at the Rescue Mission. He deeply understood the struggle to come out of homelessness once you have lost your credit or references. Who will give you an opportunity and if you have a family, how do you take care of the kids and find work and go to work as you are moving? How do you keep up believing in yourself? He also has felt the brunt of other people’s views and remarks toward a homeless person. He and the young woman are my “inspiration” as well as the other cab driver who cared.
I was at an electronics store and met a young man who has the job of standing in the front with another person and take care of questions and being helpful. “Do you like your job?” His response was yes and when I went further and asked what was the most exciting thing in his work, he said to be honest it is when a child gets lost, otherwise nothing much happens each day. My answer to him was that the child being lost gives you an opportunity to use all of your skills. My phone rang so I could not continue learning from him.
At the end of the day I thought how important for every kid to learn to pay attention to what they are doing and to trust in their dreams that march through their minds as to what they would love to do when they are ‘big’. I have now learned to be their cheerleaders.
When the sun rose this morning over Albuquerque, I didn’t know it would be such a great day.
Albuquerque Sunrise
