As a first and second grader at Zion Lutheran in Chicago, Illinois, the man who made the biggest impact on my life was not a teacher, principal or counselor, it was a custodian. Mr. Clark was our one and only custodian for the building. He took care of everything from shoveling the snow off the parking lot and playground to mopping up the residue left from a child who had the stomach flu. Yep, he was that guy!
Now, I do not know how much money Mr. Clark made as a custodian, but I know he was nowhere near being rich in monetary gains. He wore what looked to be the same greyish-looking overalls that had oil stains on the front pockets. It was baggy around his waist and had long sleeves that were usually worn rolled half way up Mr. Clark’s arms.
Mr. Clark was a very dark-skinned man with a beautiful smile. He had a worn a work hat that was kind of turned to the side, as if he just plopped it on his head in a hurry to get to work and greet the school kids.
Early every morning, rain or shine, snow storm or windy, Mr. Clark was there to say hello to every single student as they entered the doors to Zion. He would say, “You are going to have a great day today.” Somehow, even if my morning had not started off so great, when Mr. Clark told me I would have a great day, I believed him.
At the end of every school year, we had a party where all the kids got to eat their lunch on the playground. Every year there would be a large bin filled to overflowing with small presents individually wrapped in newspaper. Each child could chose two random gifts. No peeking or squeezing was allowed. A thank you was required, and a hug to the teacher handing out the presents was always welcome.
As a young girl I never gave any thought to who bought all those presents or who stayed up late wrapping each and every one of those 300-plus gifts for a student body of 150. I just took my gifts, said thank you and gave whichever teacher was there a hug. I also waved to Mr. Clark who was usually sweeping or cleaning nearby.
As I got into the older grades, it was rumored that Mr. Clark might retire. I was so sad to hear this news. Soon all of the teachers had us write thank you cards to Mr. Clark for being such a great custodian. On one particular afternoon our principal spoke to us in chapel. He said he wasn’t supposed to tell us this, but he had to because he felt it was so important. Mr. Clark was the one who gave us those gifts every year. He bought them and wrapped them himself, with his own money!
The entire student body was quiet. Then you could hear some students and teachers start to cry. This man who stood by cleaning after our mess without saying a word to us about buying those presents, who didn’t have a lot of wealth, was the one who shared so much with us. He was the one who brought us so much joy. The custodian. He even let he teachers pass out the gifts and received the hugs and praise, because we thought they bought the gifts.
“Today, you will have a great day!”
Rest in peace, Mr. Clark.
