This past Saturday I was helping my partner set up a converted office building into migrant worker housing. Here on the island of Maui men are flown in from other Hawaiin islands, Guam, the Philippines and Mexico to build new things, like structures at the airport and water tanks for new housing. As we were putting the sheets on twin beds, three to a room, I imagined what it would be like to sleep in the same room as a stranger instead of my loved one every night. As I cleaned the kitchen that included a tiny half fridge with no freezer, one hot plate, and a few dishes I wondered how it would feel to share a small kitchen with 8 other men. I recalled how my boyfriend, who works alongside these men and then works 2 hours more coordinating schedules and supplies, silently stared for 20 minutes at the plants that I brought into the house before turning to me with tears in his eyes thanking me for bringing life back to his home. I've also silently observed as these men work in 90 degree weather (with added island humidity) for a minimum of 10 hours a day, six days a week, carrying thousands of pounds of iron for very low wages. I've been there when they've asked for one hour more of work because it's one of their wives birthday and they'd like to buy her something nice. I've talked with these men about dirt, they know it well, one could call them an expert on land, as they work with it day in and day out. I witness their backs literally bulging to build the structures our concrete our society depends on today, even on this small island in the Pacific.
So, last Saturday, as I was washing one of the glasses in the half kitchen I spontaneously asked my partner if I could be the weekly housekeeper. The request surprised both of us. Usually these types of thoughts stay hidden in my heart and I don't say them out loud. This time though, there was no thought that went into it, I simply spoke out the request. I have no background in cleaning homes except my own. In fact, I later realized cleaning this house was simply the only excuse I could find to return and make it as close to a home as I could for these men. If there company only had $500 to spend on supplies than I could find 500 hours to pour love into cleaning their space once a week.
I'm left wondering if this call from my heart is an answer to some questions I've been holding about storytelling. That instead of expanding my impact by sharing my story on stages and creating a following that I continue to find ways to serve others and have faith that others will find their ways to serve as well simply by observing. I suppose theirs a balance somewhere in that and sharing my story here is helping me find that, so thank you.