Who are you Francesca*?
When Jeanine and I had the undeserved privilege of staying in New York we slept in a hotel room that was 12 square metres. The bed was squished firmly against one side of the room. The custom was that you left a paltry $2 tip for the housekeeping staff who are paid well below what they could reasonably expect. So $2 it was.
And every time we returned to our room, somehow, miraculously the bed was made in a meticulous fashion. The room was spotlessly clean. It smelt clean, it felt clean. Fresh towels were in abundance and there was a nice note from Francesca saying a very big Thank you for the generous tip, complete with a smiley face.
We happened to see one of the other domestic staff and mentioned not only how pleased we were with the service, but we hoped that $2 was an appropriate amount. It seemed such a little for so much work.
The staff member reassured us that it was a generous amount and that Francesca would be extremely grateful.
We never met Francesca, yet for 15 days straight she ministered to us in a hidden way that will always be deeply appreciated. So who are you, Francesca?
From the scant little bits and pieces, I gleaned here are some guesses.
Obviously, she worked hard and she probably had several other jobs just to live hand to mouth. From the other staff, I reckon I could have a good guess as to what the colour of her skin might have been. Francesca represents countless people who are the working class that we rub shoulders with and greet but never really know as human beings. They are on a malicious treadmill that somehow needs to be dismantled. Then together with all the ‘Francescas’, we can walk forward together in harmony and a healthier sharing of our abundance.
(* Not her real name)