Me and Miss Universal
Moms are our first teachers and mine was no exception. She taught me how to write my name and how to make it stand for something. She taught me that most troubles could be made better with a cup of good tea and that the strong must protect the vulnerable. My mom worked outside the home for most of her life. She was a career woman at a time when that was unusual and even a little frowned upon, but my mom never did worry much about other people’s opinions. She believed in being who you are with no excuses. She also believed that you never knew what might happen next, so don’t wait for joy, do what you love right now. In her case: that meant sit down, relax and have a piece of cake.
I remember going to work with my mom when I was little. We would walk through a part of town that had definitely seen better days. She walked quickly in her high heels and never let go of my hand. As we walked, we’d see a fair amount of homeless people on our way. My mom was a private person, but everyone there seemed to know her. They called her Miss Universal, because she always carried a bag from the Universal Food Markets.
We would spend the day in her office where I colored, or filed and she handled everything else. From union meetings to inventory to human resources, my mom seemed invincible. Then it was time for lunch. We’d go to McDonalds, (shocking I know) and she bought a dozen hamburgers, fries and coffees and of course a Happy Meal for me. Then we’d go to the Square and she handed them out. Everyday she fed at least a dozen homeless people on our way back to the office, everyday, no exceptions. Sometimes the people were happy to see her, but sometimes they seemed disappointed and asked her for cash instead. No matter what they said, she always smiled and called them Love. “Don’t worry Love, better days are coming.” Then we would move on. Me and Miss Universal.
When my mom interviewed a job applicant she made a separate pile of applications she like and marked them PS in the corner. I didn’t know what it meant, but I knew the job would be filled by someone from the PS pile. Years later, when I asked her about it she smiled. “PS didn’t mean they had better qualifications” she whispered with a twinkle in her eye, “PS meant poor soul because that was the person who really needed the job.”
My mom taught me we can all do something to leave the world a little better place than when we found it. She taught me that every life has value and actions speak louder than words. She showed me how to love with everything you have and be true to yourself no matter what the world around you says. They are not your judge.
I’ll miss my mom this Mother’s Day, like I guess I do everyday, but her life still helps me live mine and I am grateful. When I care for my family and community I think of her and I’m so glad I got to be the little girl beside Miss Universal.
Categories: General
