time, I did. This little story speaks
volumes about who she is. This is
what she said:
“Well, since I had sewed all my life,
sewing shoes was just like sewing
clothes except with leather. So I
was good at it from the beginning.
I never did really love it, but I
decided from the start that if that
was the best job I could find, then
I would do my best at it. And I
always did. I would try to do the
stitching on each case of shoes
better than the one before. I tried
to teach you that. Even if it’s not
what you love to do the most, you
can do your best. I am always
so proud of the way you work to do what you want to
do. As the years went on and on, some of the ladies at the factory were much older
than me, but they could not quit because they had to have the money. Bessie Webb and Wonnie
Carroll were my best friends there. The three of us had worked together since the beginning.
They were about 20 years older than me. When they were in their 70’s they were still working,
and they both had arthritis in their hands and had a hard time making their production each
day. So I always had enough tickets for my production by about 2:00 in the afternoon, and I
would do some extra to save for myself, and then
I would do some for them. They both told me
later that those tickets I gave them are what
helped them be able to keep working for the
last few years. Sometimes I think I haven’t
had a grand life or made a lot of difference,
but when I have some thoughts like this, and
then I think about the person you are... well,
maybe I just might have done ok.”
I’m so thankful to still have my Mom as a
part of my everyday life. We talk on the
phone several times each day and she is
always busy with something. Her grace,
her love, and her kindness will live on for
many years in the hearts of those her life
has touched. She is something really
special without even knowing it!
“Amazing people are often
formed through the simple
choices of everyday”