The Littlest Janitor

At work, our offices are cleaned by a local family that runs their own custodial business. It's a husband and wife, and they bring their small children with them. They take turns -- one of them watches the children while the other does the work.

Tonight, I was sitting at my desk at nearly 11:00pm when I heard a small voice behind me, attempting to speak over my loud music. I turned around to see this tiny little girl standing in my doorway next to a big garbage can on wheels that was practically bigger than she is. She couldn't have been more than 5 years old. I had to fumble with iTunes to turn off the inappropriate M.I.A. I had been listening to.

"Excuse me, may I please empty your garbages?"

I just blinked for a second. I couldn't believe this little girl was pushing around this giant trash bin, and being so very professional about it. I think she was more articulate than some of my adult coworkers.

"Sure you can."

She came in quickly and quietly, wrapped both arms around my little waste basket, carried it to her bigger garbage can, lifted it over her head to empty it out, then placed it neatly back under my desk.

"Thank you," I said.

"You're welcome." With both hands and the weight of her entire body she pushed the big bin toward the next office.

For a brief moment I thought, what's going here? Is it right that this little girl is doing hard labor in my office? Then I heard her father's voice in the hallway.

"Did you get them all?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied confidently in her tiny tone.

"Let's check."

They walked into each office, and looked at each garbage can together. The father was carrying his newborn baby, who let out several fussy squeals. He tended to the baby while still conversing with the girl, confirming that all the waste had been properly disposed of.

"You did such a good job," he proclaimed. "I'm proud of you! I'm going to have to give you a pay raise! TWO kisses instead of one for each garbage can." And he proceeded to hug her and give her two kisses on the cheek for each garbage can she had emptied. She giggled loudly. It was the cutest thing.

It turns out, the little girl had volunteered to empty all the garbage cans. She wanted to help out, so her father gave her a task, and she completed it like a pro. I was so impressed with the way he spoke to her and reasoned with her like an adult yet still gave her the encouragement and affection she needs as a little girl.

I felt a renewed desire to have a family of my own.

I Will Always

In no particular order...

I will always look up at the stars and be amazed.
I will always put my feet in the ocean, no matter how cold the water is.
I will always sing out loud.
I will always enjoy the sun on my face.
I will always think and analyze too much, too long, too... everything.
I will always get floor tickets to concerts, even though it hurts my back.
I will always be drawn to boys who smell good.
I will always ask questions.
I will always hear music in my head.
I will always doubt myself in some way.
I will always feel a sense of responsibility.
I will always wish for things I cannot have.
I will always regret my own bad timing.
I will always love my closest friends as if they were family.
I will always sleep in, whenever possible.
I will always be an outsider.
I will always need to talk... a lot.
I will always keep certain things to myself.
I will always love and respect the natural world.
I will always wonder why.
I will always appreciate the simple things.
I will always eat food that's bad for me.
I will always need to escape from time to time.
I will always feel renewed by a caring touch.
I will always want someone to hold me at night.
I will always be a nerd.
I will always get excited about gray rainy weather.
I will always have a feline companion.
I will always laugh, even when I hurt inside.
I will always expect more out of myself than anyone else does.
I will always watch the same movies over and over again.
I will always search.
I will always be 12 years old inside.
I will always push myself too hard instead of asking for help.
I will always love the place where I grew up more than anywhere else.
I will always respect others, even the ones who make it extra challenging.
I will always be difficult to get to know well.
I will always wish I was a superhero with special ass-kicking powers.
I will always believe magick is real. Because it is!
I will always run and play.
I will always struggle.
I will always be influenced and changed by the people around me, yet I will always remain true to myself.
I will always wonder what I'm doing here, and what this is all about.
I will always wish for someone to take care of me, yet I will always take care of myself and frequently turn down offers of assistance.
I will always appreciate the lessons I've learned, even those that are painful.
I will always try.