I have recently found the powerful truth behind the saying ‘never judge a book by its cover’. This is especially true when people are concerned. I made the assumption that I knew someone; that is, until they told me about their life story. The story of our lives is something that can’t be guessed at and is something hard for others to understand. But when our stories are shared, they can lead to true beauty of those listening.
The story I had the honor of hearing came from Teresa Martin, who works at the Roxy Movie Theater, where I also work. Teresa isn’t just another worker; she practically holds the theater together. She knows how to do everything there, and knows most of the people who walk through the door. In fact, I think that is Teresa’s undiscovered super power is her memory. She can remember everyone who walked in the door that night in the theater. Teresa can even recall what you told her a month ago. I am constantly amazed by all that she remembers. Although when Teresa told me her story, it was I who would always remember this conversation.
When I met Teresa thought I knew her story, boy was I wrong. I knew some about her past, but not much. I knew she had two sons, who are now adults. She worked at a couple of gas stations and as a waitress before working at Walt’s hardware store and the Theater. The rest of her story I assumed I knew. The way I saw her story was; that she grew up in Holbrook, got pregnant young, and worked at whatever jobs she could to support her family. Now this was partly right. She did take whatever job she could to support her family, but the rest was totally wrong, and I am angry with myself for even thinking this. Teresa grew up in Tucson. That is also where she was trained in health care. She got married to her late husband William. They had two sons, James and Adam. Teresa stayed in Tucson in an apartment with her family. That is, until one day when one of her sons went over to hang out with some friends who lived a couple of apartments away. One of the boys in the apartment got made at another boy for touching his girlfriend, or something, and shot and killed him. Teresa and her husband decided right then that they wanted to leave the city and raise their boys somewhere else. Teresa had been to Holbrook before and was told that, if, she came to Holbrook there would be a job for her at the senior center. Teresa moved here expecting that job, however, when she came here she was told that the job had already been given away. So, Teresa worked where ever she could to help support her family.
After she finished her story I was dead silent. I couldn’t even begin to express my shock at such a tale. I would have never known the hardships Teresa had faced if she didn’t tell me. Teresa is always smiling and kind, the exact opposite of what I would expect someone to be like who had such a rough life. I will forever remember her, not for the hardships of her life, but for the positivity that she displayed in her life. I would have missed all this if Teresa was not willing to share her beautiful life story.
