Dorothea smiles

She only had fifteen minutes left. Fifteen minutes. Shifting her legs, she finished wiping down the beaded sheet of glass left moist by the Windex. She bent down and picked up the paper towel roll from the floor and returned it to the rolling work cart. Seeing the towel rack needed replenishing she stooped to get fresh neatly folded towels from her stash. The faint odor of beach filed her nostrils as she laid them on the stainless steel shelf above the toilet.

Turning, she noticed a piece of paper on the floor that had fallen from the bureau and against the wall. Reaching down to get it, a green color fell out of the hotel stationary and onto the floor. It was $50.

Dorothea stepped back and was unsure of what to do next. Picking up the $50 bill, she held both items in her hand as she went over to sit in the seat by the window. Pulling her glasses out of her pocket, she read the paper and determining the message was indeed for her.

Hello and thank you!

I travel all over the world and stay in many hotels far and wide. Last night I arrived in this room after a difficult flight and a message from my boss that I had lost my job. I was in agony. What would I do now? I went through many agonizing hours, trying to figure out how to tell my family, how to pay my bills, how to face my friends. My job was my life! What now?

I fell asleep for awhile and cried. I thought about the inequity in the world, the savage horrors, how I would now live my life. When I awakened I saw a little card on the bureau that read:

This room has been cleaned and prepared for your comfort by: Dorothea.

It occurred to me, maybe for the first time that someone or something would prepare a place for me. I have seen many hotel workers who work hard to earn money in their lies with little reward. I became aware that signs along the away can instruct us if we but take the time to read them and be aware.

I am leaving $50 for you, I wish it were more, but I hope this helps and reminds you that your work is appreciated by thousands of guests that come through this hotel every year.

Brotherly love,

James




Dorothea was stunned. Many times she had felt alone, thinking no one cared or noticed the care she took to provide others with a clean room for a weary traveler.

A tear fell from her eyes, now her boys would be able to eat breakfast. Then this was the place where Dorothea smiled.