Today, Ray and I filled our trailer with metal to take to the recycling place and also met our local junk store friends, who graciously accepted the gift of a couple of SUV loads of our don’t-need-to-store-these-anymore antiques and collectibles. We are very pleased to have relieved ourselves of all of these “extras” that have been cluttering our lives, and though we’re both tired this evening, it’s a proud kind of tired.

While at the recycling place, I chatted with the woman who was running the office as she got everything set up to receive our load. She was very nice but was also a bit overwhelmed with constant phone interruptions and miscommunication through walkie-talkies with the fellow outside who was sorting through our better metals with Ray. I said to her at one point, “Looks like you have your hands full,” to which she replied, “I tell you, girl, I can’t tell if I’m washing or hanging out!” I hadn’t heard that expression before but it seemed pretty appropriate for her situation. While I was there two more customers came and went and the parking lot started filling up with pickup trucks pulling trailers. She sighed. “I’m telling you everybody comes at lunch and some days I don’t even get to eat. I just don’t think that’s fair!”

After taking my photo to upload my information into her system, I said, “I hope you get a vacation soon. Looks like you could use a little break.” At that point, she burst into tears. “The trouble is I miss him,” pointing to a large photograph of an older man who was clearly the owner. “I lost my leader when he died and now I don’t have one.” As tears flowed down her cheeks, she said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get so upset. I’m pretty good about keeping all of this inside.” I shook my head. “You don’t have to apologize to me. Sounds like you could use a good cry,” She gave me a relieved smile. “Thank you, baby.”

Sometimes we need each other for just a minute. Then everything shifts back to tolerable. I was grateful she was so open, and I was so glad I was not in a rush and could spend that five extra minutes to just listen. 

People need people. Not to fix anything but just to acknowledge that life can be tough sometimes. I do hope this hardworking woman can get some time off soon. She could use a good rest. And, yes, maybe the rest of that good cry.