My New Dry Cleaner

Today, on my way to work, I decided to drop off several items of clothing I had been needing to get drycleaned.  I had been going to a place a mile or so from my old place, but since I moved into the ‘hood (as I affectionately refer to it), I have made a commitment to patronize local businesses – even if they’re more expensive – so that I can develop some good relationships within my community.

With that in mind, I stopped at Mamma Bessie’s Cleaners, which is not quite 1/2 mile up the street from my new place.  I went in and even before I could get all the way in the door, the woman who worked there called out to me,

“Can I help you?”  I noted that I had brought an armful of clothes.

“You been here before?”  I noted that I had not.  With this, she smiled and stuck out her hand.

“Well pleased to meet you.  I’m Margery.  Welcome!  I’ll take all the business I can get at the start of a new year!”

As I entered and shook her hand, I noted that on a chair by the door was a small TV, tuned to the Inauguration.  We made small talk for a while, and she told me about her family, and that she’s been in the dry-cleaning business since she was 16 (she’s now 53 by her own admission).

We talked about the inauguration and what an exciting day it is.  She boasted, “My grandma always said, ‘You watch!  One of these days, we’re going to have us a black man as the president!’  We all thought she was crazy, but just the other day, we all remembered how she said that and thought ‘Grandma’s probably spinnin’ in her grave with joy right now!’”

She told me about how her kids and grandkid (some of whom are the same age as my students) didn’t think Obama’s election was that interesting, and that led us into a discussion of the changing of the times.  I mentioned that it was sort of cool that our culture has progressed far enough that black teens don’t think it’s unusual for a black man to be elected president.

Of course on one level that’s sad – we should all remember where we’ve come from, and the terrible atrocities that we’ve perpetrated in our country in the name of race.  But, it’s nice to see evidence that some of those hurdles have been overcome.  And I think President Obama’s election is a sign that some great things are happening.  I’m glad I’m alive to see it.  And I’m hopeful for the future.

She’s a great lady, my new dry cleaner.  I’m anxious to develop a good relationship with her.