Demetric

While yesterday’s parade was festive, the street and sidewalks were littered with trash when I arrived at our business on Main Street early this morning. We had an event scheduled at 2:00, and I didn’t want clients or their guests arriving to such a mess. So I was sweating (as out-of-shape, 40-something-year-olds do) and pushing a shop broom in the parking area when a guy walked down the sidewalk. As he neared me he asked, “You got another one of those?”
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“As a matter of fact, I do.”
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Demetric never asked for a dime as he began attacking the candy, wrappers, bottles, to-go containers, bones, and who knows what else with much better success than I was having. After a few minutes I asked, “Why are you doing this?”
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“Because I seen you needed help, and ain’t nobody else gonna help,” he replied.
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I stopped sweeping and told him about how people asked us “Why Woodville?” when we said we were moving here. He chuckled a little then asked, “Well, now I gotta ask—why Woodville?”
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“Because of the good people here. This morning, Demetric, I was tired, frustrated, and really starting to ask *myself* ‘Why Woodville?’ Then you walked up. Today, *you* are my answer to ‘Why Woodville?’ Can I take your picture and post it on my page?”
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If you know Demetric, please make sure to tell him how awesome he is and that you believe in him. I think we all need a little encouragement sometimes.
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(Note: Demetric didn’t want me to take his pic until he had gone to the barber to get his fresh cut and shave. He told me he’d stop by later, and I kind of wondered if he would. He did, and it was a privilege to invite him into our just-opened event space so I could take this photo. His smile makes *me* smile!)