#2 Son lost his car keys! I call a specialist in to create a new key. I called Nissan, and they weren’t too expensive, except I would have to pay for a tow. So, from the comfort of my home, this company sends over their man.
The phone rings about 10:30 AM, and the voice on the other end asks; “Are you going to be home in the next half hour?”
Half hour later, this pickup truck pulls up and out pops one of the brothers. A thin young man in his middle to late twenties, with funky baseball cap, black t-shirt and jeans. Reaching out we shake hands and introduce ourselves.
George begins to take out a portable battery, and a key maker. His truck has computers and keys and locks and everything that would impress one who knows nothing about the trade.
Me; “Wow! Did you go to school to learn all this?”
“Yup, went to a trade school in Brooklyn, my education was paid for, and now I do this for a living!”
“Do you mind if I watch, this kind of stuff fascinates me.”
“No, I don’t mind. Come with me to the car and I’ll show you what I’m doing.”
Well this guy taught me a lot about his trade. He taught me that it still matters to take pride in who and what you are. He patiently answered all my questions and offered more info than I asked for.
We got to talking about responsibility, how he has a little girl, and how he has to remind himself not to work beyond 5:30 PM, so he can get home and play with his little girl. Doesn’t mind working, because he loves it, “Throw as much work as you can at me, because I love it. But come 5:30 PM, I’m done!”
This was some guy, he loved his job, loved his family, and loved people.
I paid the bill, and we shook hands goodbye. I can tell you, this guy was not black, not white, but gold!
If you have a stereotype in your mind about a black guy, and you see one coming down the street, don’t cross the street, say: “hello”, he may be holding the keys to a great friendship.
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