Hello,

It’s nice to meet you. I’ll be the one to take care of things for you today. I will help you to schedule your meetings and greet your customers. I am the one that will serve you breakfast, lunch and even your dinner, if you’d like. I’ve worked all night to clean your office and even the restrooms.

It’s because of my hard work that your company runs smoothly and makes you a profit. I also deliver your flowers and parcels and watch your children while you are away at work. I make sure your hotel room is clean and the beds made with crisp clean sheets, just the way you like them.

If you need a few items like groceries or toiletries, you can rest assure that I will help you check these items out and bag them up for you so you are able take them home safely. I’ll even carry your parcels out and load them in your car, if you prefer. Whatever you need I’ll be there to take care of it for you, so that your life runs just a little smoother.

I’ve heard it said that you think of me as lazy even though I work very long hours. You say I have no motivation to be something more, when it’s all I can do to pay my bills and put food on the table. You say I just don’t care enough but that’s a lie – I care very much about my life and the life of my family and I take pride in the work that I do for you.

Yet, I find myself struggling to pay for things that my family should not have to do without and still sometimes, they have to be without them. Things such as medical or dental checkups or nice warm clothes, coats & boots and things like fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats – they are just not always possible with my stretched-to-the-limit budget…and so, all too often we do without.

I sincerely wish I weren’t so extremely tired and worn out all the time but I’ll still try to make time at the end of the day, to help (as much as I can) with homework and to hug my little ones and . . . if there’s time, read them a book before bedtime. Please do not doubt the fact that I love my family as much as you love yours and want the best for them, too.

I sure hope you will remember my face the next time you see me taking care of your needs. I don’t want your pity or a handout from you, I have my pride and I’ve always worked hard for what I have. I just want to be paid a fair wage so that I can live a better life and I’d like healthcare that even I can afford.

Remember me,

I am the Working Poor.