I’ve known a woman for over 20 years who’s worked as the cashier in a neighborhood grocery store.
Anya is her name, and one of the most impressive people I know.
A beautiful Latino in her 50s with one son, who just had his 28th birthday, she raised on her own who’s also an amazing human being.
When Stephano was small, so he could go to a good grammar school, Anya, knowing little English, cleaned for the nuns at Saint Ignatius Loyola in exchange for free tuition. At night she ironed shirts to make extra money before getting her cashier’s job.
Stephano put himself through the University of Colorado in Boulder, working as a busboy then waiter at a local steakhouse.
When we met the other day, all I knew of her came flooding back. The many candles she’s lit for me over the years. That apple or Danish I’ll find in my bag.
“Did’a you eat loonch Suz’onna?” she’ll often ask, offering me part of hers.
All these magazine pieces profiling women of means and privilege don’t hold a candle to Anya, who rumor has it, ran across a field to hide in a truck when she was 18 to come to the Ou-nided-stets of Amedica, landing in Miami, or Mi’yom-ee as she so sweetly calls her first American home.
I’d like to write to Anna Wintour at Vogue or Oprah (and Donald Trump), and say, how bout doing a piece on a woman who had no one to help her, did everything herself managing to raise an upstanding son with integrity and manners, finally becoming a proud American citizen who has the right to vote.
Her story should sell quite a few copies, don’t you think?
SB
Or you could write it!
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A nice vote of confidence. 🙂
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These are the amazing people who often seem to be attacked each political system they ask for help in. Their crime is following all the rules of humanity perfectly on the lowest wage. It must really embarrass those making big money telling us to do it or those of us who could be educated expensively to do it…. as I heard Steve Tyler sing when I drolped out…. take me to the other side 😅
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Sadly we’re told who we should admire. A hero often wears rags rather than finery.
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Who are we to judge? Life does its job in keeping us working. A lot of mug punters around here.
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I never invest too heavily in presumption or expectation
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Wise.
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Can differ from intelligent. Probably implies a level of intelligence regarding the laws of principles
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You sound like a scientist…:)
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Hmmm….
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It’s 2 am. That was a compliment by the way.
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I’m sure…. don’t get me wrong. When I was a young boy I claimed I wanted to be a poohologist and be an expert on shit. Adults were concerned. Funny how I seem to have gotten exactly where I said I would when I was 5. Lol… so I guess if a beautiful lady pays me a compliment… I guess by now I don’t give a shit (no pun intended) if she is a wicked stepmother… wicked stepmothers must have some good eating spots??? (NYE not inclusive) 😄
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You’re also funny. A silly scientist.
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Don’t encourage me 🤕
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Oh come on, how bout stand-up in a lab coat.
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Dr Lwary I presume?
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I thought you were sleeping.
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No. Only 2121 here. Gone out on moon patrol
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I see. It’s 6 am here as I sit in Starbucks fueling up like a 747. Do you have Starbucks in Australia?
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Yes. A few years back. Train has stopped. Apparently someone has been run over
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??? You lost me.
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Train has killed someone. The police are useless. Sitting here at 10pm while a crime scene is being set up. Funny thing is that the Public Safety Officer is an aggressive bloke who has tried bullying me before. Cirizens are just starting to get spoken to now. Bizarre
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So you’re just a bystander? Or, are you working?
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Passenger on public transport. Very sad whatever happened. Loss of a life. Whether it was suicide or a crime scene as the aggressive PSO said it was. We have a major issue going on here with our welfare system being referred to as robo debt. Basically the division between rich and poor gets wider.
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That’s so sad. The homeless situation here has gotten very bad. You trip over people. So sorry.
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Someone like me is very inconvenient for many…. educated and can sacrifice. Anyone I have helped preferred to be shown a sermon than given one. Lol
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I see.
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Sleeping out is still an option. Preferable company more often than not. God knows how I can get people eating breakfast again. Not a procedure in our health care system… and inconvenient to many of the doctor’s and lawyer’s kids I went to school with. Whoops. I guess one day I saw that I actually wasn’t that important
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I consider any conversation with you a compliment itself…. Reading wise still going through Le Carre. Oldman one of my favorite actors but he ain’t a George Smiley.
Good night from a social scientist
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G’nite
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My first thought on reading this piece was that you should write her biography. Then I found that Kate had already suggested it. Well, then let me second that suggestion. I think America needs a stirring tale of steadfast love and determination now. You ARE the woman to do it.
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Nah, not my 20, as they say in street parlance. Too invasive. She’d hate it, she’s so meek and shy. I actually hesitated writing what I did but knew she’d never read it since, she doesn’t use internet. I’m amazed you read my comments. Have a nice day.
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It might be better as an anonymous biography anyway. You know: “names are changed to protect the innocent”?
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Yeah. I’m flattered you think I could write it.
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Not “think” but “know”.
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I nice thing to hear…:)
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What a great story, and I’m sure there are so many more out there modestly taking a back seat to Kim K. and her big fat ass.
I know I would be first in line to grab a copy of “The Faces That Make America Great” or “Tales From The Road To Freedom” …. even if it were one article in a monthly magazine (hint).
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I’m on the floor with her big fat ass and did I need a laugh. I’m getting ready to put black crepe on all the windows. I know there are many Anyas out there keeping a low profile
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Haha! Well, it is a big fat ass…lol
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That rumor has it, she can balance a champagne glass on…such talent.
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Hahaha! You wouldn’t be able to see the glass on that eclipse.
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LOL
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PS I’m here with a flute…a plastic one, since I haven’t the cushioning she has, practicing. Do you think Kim’s is full, or empty?
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Hahahaha! Oh, hers are full and not a drop is spilled.
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She’s amazing, that Kim. So Jackieesque. Next she’ll be wearing a pillbox hat.
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Great piece, Susannah. The lives of so many of our immigrants are amazing. My Bochi came through Ellis Island from Poland. These strong women, with little or no money and a language barrier, are a testament on overcoming adversity.
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Well said Skinny. They wanted a better life so they came here to the land of the free. It’s humbling.
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Just watching a guy on the TV here who has got community action against home invasions. 10 in one street in one case. We have these African refugees going nuts. I get on ok with any I come across but normal people getting car jacked etc is not on. This guy is good because our police here are no longer considered a part of any decent community. Every time I look into UN volunteers etc… I see more and more persian rugs. Good for good people to get neighborly again. I guess I know both sides. Too many fat cats not helping either. Hurt people hurt people and certain people get rich keep it going. This ex reservist is simply getting people to respond to danger and help each other. Bless him.
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It sounds as if you need a nap. You’ve been up for hours it seems. Eat something.
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Got a good night’s sleep. Great day ahead. I meditate and look after myself. Enjoy
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Totally appreciate your concern though. Thank you. Not a bad meeting this morning. Chilling out for a few hours. Got some more titles for the reading list too
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Reading is the answer to so many things. Enlightenment, boredom, insomnia, inspiration. You always have a friend, if you have a book.
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