Dear Janitor

Dear Janitor,

It must have been at least 9 years ago when this happened, maybe 2000/2001.  I was working at the Realtor Board and you were the building janitor.  I don’t remember your name, if I ever knew it.  I was working in the education department.  We had a class coming up, and I was delivered a large box of books.  Of course I was busy, and I ran the box downstairs and into the education storage room.  The door was so heavy and locked.  I pushed it open and reached in the room to set the box on anything I could.  I knew it was on the small metal trash can next to the table but I left it, not thinking anything would happen to it.  The day before the class I went down to the storeroom to check my materials.  To my shock the box was gone!  I about had a heart attack.  Luckily I had one day to print the materials and have them for the class the next day.  They were not pretty and bound like the books that were missing, but they worked.  I told the building manager and she told your boss.  I was told that you would be “talked” too and this would not happen again.

That Friday night I was working, monitoring the class, and I heard it.  He was yelling at you, belittling you.  You didn’t know I could hear.  It was terrible, I felt terrible.  I wanted to run down and tell your boss it was partially my fault and that he shouldn’t talk to you like that.  I didn’t and to this day I regret it.  I should have been stronger, a better person.  I should have stood up for you, even if I didn’t know you.  It is wrong to speak to someone the way he spoke to you.  I am sorry.  I am so sorry I was too young and scared to do anything.  From that day forward I think of you often.  I think I would do things different now, be a better person.  You most likely don’t remember that day and I am sure wouldn’t remember me.  I remember and always will, this was one of those life lesions you never forget.  Thank you for the lesson.

Best Wishes