Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Let's call her Clarisse,
She was warm, she was fuzzy and from 6:30am to 10:30am Monday to Friday she guards Metro Platform 1 in Balaclava. Clarisse was calling in quits for the day when both Chelsea and I walked up behind her. After dining in on Carlisle St in St. Kilda for a post-birthday breakfast, it was a chilly Thursday morning, as we left Las Chicas in order to catch the train into the city. Decked out in full length cloak, hat, gloves and armed with her whistle, she bore the Metro decal proudly. Clarisse was preparing for any sort of trouble that may arise on the track. What I loved about meeting Clarisse was that she never stopped smiling, ever. She brimmed her jibs honestly from ear to ear. Buzzing around the platform, talking with teens, oldies and passerby's, she did her job without hesitation or worry. It was Chelsea who needed help paying for her Metcard and approached Clarisse, seeking her guidance and transportation wisdom. By entrusting the remainder of her train journey in Clarisse's hands, we were getting more than we bargained for. With a toothy grin, Clarisse was more than eager to assist. Assisting us of the proper payment and rider etiquette, it started Clarisse on a winding story about life as a Metro Platform assistant. Our relationship took a new level when she showed us her bulletin board of inspirational quotes. Each morning, Clarisse personally posts and writes a quote for fellow train riders as they pass through the station. Today's quote was from Billy Graham, talking about losing yourself in life. She reassured us that each quote isn't bias, but is there to provoke a thought, although she admits she loves when people approach her regarding them. Preparing to add my input, I looked over my shoulder and Clarisse had vanished. Suddenly, I overheard a perfectly pitched voice over the loud speaker reminding us that the 10: 36 train to Flinders was scheduled to arrive in 3 minutes. Just as I turned to Chelsea, like pimple on a dirty face, Clarisse kept popping up. Our conversation picked up right where it left off, seamlessly. She talked about waking up at 4:30 each morning, working the early morning shift but, still making it home to pick up her son from kinder. Just when you thought the conversation was done, Clarisse kept going. I never thought a buck-toothed metro employee would inspire me as much as she did. A simple job, yet Clarisse loved every minute of it. Just to prove, she even has a hand-written white board filled with upcoming train times. As the trains come she replaces each time slot with a smiley face, creatively writing "gone!" Boarding the train, we each went our separate ways. Clarisse may be a mouth full of teeth to some, but she was a fresh face on an early morning's train ride.
- comments
Dad Life must express itself Shine-on Bittnee!