Verandah Musings 1: The Joy of the Janitor

All hospitals, clinics and offices, be they small or skyscrapers, employ them-janitors a.k.a custodians. The quiet, observant, focussed, mop-in-hand, steady, nose-to-the-ground workers seen on all levels of the office buildings.?They keep our floors clean. Overflowing trash cans are emptied and new trash bags put in place. Toilets and bathroom floors are cleaned, every day. Floors we stand, work and walk on, restrooms we use, trash we chuck mindlessly, are emptied by these often unnoticed folks. Some may look up to give a nod which might go unreciprocated by the preoccupied passersby. A time or two, I have stopped to chat with them only to hear something like 'be careful, floors are wet', looking out for me again. They have stories to tell. They hear them all, in the hallways- some casual, some shocking, and some even risible conversations.

I wonder what would happen if they weren't on staff? Can you imagine the fuss and furore the next day? Disgruntled patients, upset staff, indignant providers contributing to a pesky environment. Undoubtedly, this in turn, paves the way for mistakes, inefficiencies and even dreaded falls. Clearly, we take their work for granted. The polished clean floors, emptied trash cans and cleaned toilets are baked and hidden essentials in every day function. It's a crying shame that the folks who work hard at this often go unappreciated, and if anything only complained about. Yet, I have found that many of them have a certain nature of joy and contentment in their hearts. Some have been working at this career (in safety and hospitality if I may) for years and look forward to more. It can't be the pay,?recognition, accolade or the title. Yet they show up every night (and day) to do it all over again. Perhaps they know something we don't. They may have a lesson or two to teach us - if only we pause in our hurried lives to chat with them and thank them for a few minutes.

Thank you folks!

Warmly,

Cecil Thoppil.?

PS: The article was written without any AI help.