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Living in this society it’s not hard to feel lonely, left out, and unappreciated. It’s a fact, and we’ve all felt that way at some point in our lives. Anyone who denies these feeling is either lying or not human. When we’re feeling these emotions it’s obvious that we want human attention, or affection. I’m sure you all know at least one person who takes you out of these infamous states of mind. I’ve only known one...
A couple months ago I was in a continuation school. I was alone. I was young. I had no friends. I was going through a massive change in my life; and I was not adjusting well. I had to take the bus to school every single day for my government class. I had to get there early since I had no car. Before class I was either sitting under a giant umbrella, reading, or talking strolls on the beach (The school was located two blocks from Venice Beach). One day I was reading with a noticeable sad look on my face. I heard footsteps walking towards me and soon, there was a giant shadow being casted on the book I was reading.
I looked up to find custodian staring at me with a smile. He was a big, tall black man. He must’ve been in his mid 50s because he had a grey beard. He nodded his head and asked if I was alright. I said no and told him about my girlfriend situation. He completely understood the problems I was having but he simply replied: “You know, dude. Don’t even worry about females. Fuck ‘em. They just mess with your head and distract you from what really matters. Right now just focus on your studies and the good girls will come to you, no doubt about it.” It was amazing! How someone could say something so simple, yet be so correct and wise.
Throughout the three months I was there, he became my life teacher; my sensei; the schoolyard Yoda. He’d toughen me up by telling me some of his life experiences and how he overcame them. Most of the his were financial problems, though sometimes he’d talk about the shitty relationship he had with his girlfriend’s children. In return I’d to help him out, introduce him to new music and teach him how to use The Pirate Bay. He made my stays at school meaningful and worthwhile.
My whole whole experience at that school was like a cliche intercity movie about fuck ups in high school. We had the stereotypical hip chubby custodian who secretly took minutes from his job to school the deadbeats about life, and encouraging them to not give up and go big. It was quite nice.
What really struck me was how content he was. Not once did I see him without a smile on his face. You’d think that being a janitor at a continuation school would negatively affect the way you look at life, but no, not in his case. He was a champ. He was one of those people who made the best of what he had. He was a genuine modern-day Buddha. When you encounter these type people at the oddest places, you just ask yourself: why? Here is one of the most influential, genuine, wise people I’ve ever met, and he’s a custodian. It’s not that I’m looking down on him or the job he has; I’m just shocked because such an amazing person should not be working full time, cleaning after disrespectful teenagers. They should be chilling at a Caribbean resort, writing books for the millions who want to soak up some wisdom.
He set a very strong example for everyone who knew him. Especially me; he was somewhat of a father figure. Though I only knew him for three and a half months and never got his name, he taught me more in that time frame than my biological father taught me in in eighteen years! Not because I have a bad father, but because I related more to the unknown custodian. His life lessons were hardwired into my brain and will remain with me until the day I die.
