Simple Plate of Food

The heat from the food caused her to sweat. She served the platters with a fierce speed. She barely knew English. I heard her say a few semi-english words to the people in line words like: "Hi. How are you?" She was forced to wear the clothes of her job. The black smock and black shoes did not seem to match her personality. She was bubbly. Content with her surroundings yet bored. She was seemingly a one woman show with the costumers waiting on her every move. She controlled the speed of how fast the people received their food, or she could slow down and have them wait...it was her choice. A professor that knew spanish spoke to her in a friendly tone, and Martha, that was her name, spoke back sweetly. It was a converstation that I'd hoped would go on for the rest of the day. It's the tone that all people should try to use when approaching people.

The hidden saddness of the day was when Martha would sit alone during her lunch break. Among the students, whose food she served, no one would sit with her. Another sadness was that yes, she was spoken to very briefly in line, but after that, no one paid much attention. Nonetheless, Martha is genuine. She's authentic in her love for caring for others. Her admiration of her job and for people shines through when she hands us that simple plate of food.

***

This activity was somewhat tiresome. I wrote notes and took down everything I saw in Martha. Everything from her mannerisms, her hair, the way she dressed, even down to the tone in her voice. It makes me think of why people don't spend more time getting to know more and more people one on one...it's TIRESOME! Oh! But look on how much we miss out on when we fail to see the trueness of others outside of the boxes we created. This was a wonderful activity, to which I will keep my notes for sometime and never forget Martha.