Spreading Smiles through Toilet Papers

I used to spend quite a lot of time in the library reading, doing homework or preparing for the tests. One Tuesday, as I was preparing for a calculus test, I got bogged down in few questions. Tired of unsuccessfully trying the same questions again and again, I rested my head on the table, covering my face with my hands. It was then that I heard a heavy and gruff, yet affectionate voice. "Are you alright, son?,” asked a tall African American man with an oval face, a pointed nose, large and wide ears, and intense brown eyes below dense eyebrows. He cleared his throat, and patted my leaning torso. Raising my bowed head, I looked at the tall figure with amazement and replied that I was okay, rubbing my eyes. He introduced himself and offered me a bottle of water, which I took without hesitation. He was Lawrence Perry, a janitor at the University of New Orleans. This was the first time I was approached with such kindness after I had left my country, Nepal. Even though Mr. Perry holds a mop, not a briefcase, he holds the power to spread a smile, and he has every reason to be happy himself.

“I think my job is one of the most important jobs in UNO”, says Lawrence Perry, who has been working as a janitor at the University for the last five years. “Imagine what would happen if I did not keep toilet papers in the restroom”, he continues with a giggle in his voice.  He has a defined chin and a strong jaw line that gives an aesthetic element to his broad smile. He always smiles when he sees a familiar face. “There are people who show nonchalance when I smile or try to talk to them, but I never have any grudges against them”, Perry says with immense weight in his voice. “Life is about sharing what you have. I have a smile to give to people. It is their discretion whether to respond to me or not”, he continues in a slightly indignant tone.  “I am happy with my life, you know! I have done what I need to do to my family, and I try to be good to every person. That is my life to me”, he ends abruptly in a graver toner.

Mr. Perry is a familiar face around the Earl K Long Library, where his work is mainly concentrated. Mr. Perry, who has been working as a custodian for the last nineteen years in one place or another, is very aware of cleanliness. Mr. Perry’s job is to clean the restrooms and to make sure that every restroom in the entire four story building has toilet paper and soap. He performs his task of cleaning with great care and sincerity.  His job is such that if he does everything right his work is rarely given a credit. “I wonder if people ever notice that there is a man who is doing all the work behind the scene”, Perry speaks contently in response to the question of what people’s response is towards his job.  He recalls the time when he was ignored by some people on account of what he does for living. “When I say my profession is a janitor to people, some people try to forestall the conversation. You know what, next time those people see me, they just ignore me”, he quickly lifts his shoulders as he speaks with wonder.

 In the same momentum of the conversation, he mentions about an incident when he was excluded from an invitation to a staff member’s wedding, when the whole building was invited.  “I have come to realize that some people judge me as being unworthy of their time and attention, but the bitter truth is that those people need a through contemplation of their own life”, he says vaguely.   He takes a deep sigh and looks at his wrist watch. His sad and humble voice, when he spoke, reflected his disapproval of the people’s prejudiced attitude towards people like him. “But again, I feel my life is the way it should be. You cannot really make grievances against anything”, he gives his second thought, shifting his focus from his watch to my spectacles. That belief is the reason why he starts every day with a cheerful smile.

In his twenty eight years of marriage, Perry values his family the most. He believes that his marriage is the greatest blessing in his life. “My wife is the most influential person to me. She has always been by my side to support me in ups and downs. She accepts me for who I am, and that is the reason why I feel satisfied even though I have not accomplished a great deal in life,” he says, leaning on the chair. In response to the question of what makes him happy, he says with a smile in his face, “My reasons for happiness are rather modest. My wife’s birthday, my children’s birthday, my children’s promotion to the higher grade, my dog and my small world are the causes for my happiness.” Perry believes that everything that makes his family happy is the biggest achievement of his life. “My family is happy with what we have. This is actually an achievement for me. When my family becomes discontent or dissatisfied with me, then making them happy will be my challenge”, he says re-iteratively.  

         

 Mr. Perry made me realize that people become great by their deeds, not by the job they hold. He does not hold grudges against any people, but performs his work with sincere effort and tries to help others as much as he can. “What distinguishes men from another creature is their care and concern for another being .I try to make my family happy, and try to give others what I can”, he says in a philosophical tone. After an awkward silence, he says,” I do not frown to people, nor do I hate them whatsoever. I respect everyone for who they are”. Mr. Perry always reminds me of the importance of positive attitude in life.