The many years I spent working with swans, coupled with intensive gardening, has left my body in a rather sorry state. Overuse of my hands, and far too much bending, have left me with painful arthritic hands and an acute case of sciatica. I have begun working at a motel, at the front desk. It is quite boring in comparison to doing the work that I love; but I must accept the fact that my body has aged and I can no longer endure the physical demands of my previous livelihood.
Yesterday, a couple of gentlemen approached the front desk at the motel, disgruntled and angry. They are working in town and they are booked for an extended stay at the motel. This is a non-smoking motel. For the past few days, the housekeeper has left notices in the mens’ rooms, admonishing them for smoking and cooking in their rooms. This was a false accusation on the part of the housekeeper and they were rightfully offended because only one of the men smokes, and he assured me that he smokes outside the building. They had complained to another front desk clerk, but she was rude to them. They felt that this unfair treatment was verging on harassment.
Everyone who knows me, knows that I have zero tolerance for cigarette smoke and that it sends me into immediate asthma attacks. There was a strong odor that had followed the men into the building, but I knew this was not cigarette smoke or marijuana. As I listened with concern to them and discovered that they are welders, I understood the situation. My ex-husband was a welder when we were first married so it was a familiar smell to me. I told the men that I would first of all, never accuse someone of anything that I had not personally witnessed. I know that simply walking into a room filled with smoke, you will walk back out smelling of it because it clings to clothing and skin. The odor from the welders was obviously emanating from their clothing and permeating their rooms.
I promised the men that I would let my manager know about their frustration. I could visibly see their anger melt away. They wanted someone to listen to them. They wanted to be heard. They thanked me and I was grateful to have been the calming presence that they needed in that moment.
I miss the work that I have done in the past, but I also understand that life is ever changing. I accept that I am now needed elsewhere and I know that even doing a mundane job at a motel has its rewards.
