Where Ya From? Part 1

 

Where Ya From? Part 1

We’ve been sold a bill of goods! I know a lot of people who weren’t born in the US, they migrated here. Not one murderer among them, not even a rapist,

I was reminded of this this morning when my old handyman’s widow and son came to help me. Joe came here in the early 60’s from Poland and Sofia came when he sent for her a few years later.

This took more than a little courage. No family, no friends, and no knowledge of the language spoken here. They settled in Sunnyvale where Joe worked in a factory and Sofia in the cannery. They bought a home and raised two sons one of whom graduated from Santa Clara University, a prestigious Jesuit college. What a couple of losers!

Anyway Joe and I worked together for over 30 years until his sad passing 10 years ago. I still laugh when I think back on the time I hired him to put my Christmas tree in the stand and put the lights on it. I left him to the job and went off to my office. When I got home, two strings of lights were left on the floor – not on the tree.

I called Joe and asked what happened. He told me there were enough lights on the tree. I told him that I wanted them all on and he replied that that would be too much. So now I have the Ralph Lauren of handymen!?

Joe was talented and innovative, so I was puzzled when I came home to parts of an unassembled desk all over the floor. And no Joe in sight. He came back with my urging and we, together successfully got the thing assembled. It was just then that it occurred to me that he couldn’t read the directions – they were in English!

Then a couple of years ago there was the little fender bender on the street outside of their house when they weren’t home. I was just about to deliver a holiday plant when the accident occurred. They came home to find two police officers, the perp and me and two banged up cars in front of the house. By this time it was only Sofia and Carl, Joe’s widow and son. They leapt into action and not a minute was spared. They made it clear to the police that my character was stellar, no finer woman walked the earth, I was a saint! It couldn’t be possible, that I could in any way be responsible for this accident.

Did their testimonial work? I don’t know but, my insurance company was never contacted and neither was I! I’m grateful for this and so much more!