Out for breakfast in The Kitchen Cafe at the nursery, enjoying excellent food as usual, I remarked to one of the ladies serving that the flowers on the tables were always lovely but especially nice that day: posies of lisianthus in white, purple and pink.
A little conversation ensued about flowers: we agreed that showy or overly perfumed flowers were not to our taste but we both love sunflowers. She said she likes gardening but had to dig up the lawn in her own small garden because of a pest infestation as she has two dogs.
I thought I might ask for a portrait and introduced myself and my strangers' project. Meet Kelly.
When I explained that I would like to know a little about her to accompany the portrait and reflected that I already had some information, Kelly was amused at the thought of me storing away what she had been telling me.
She was more than happy to agree and I asked her to stand just behind the counter. Luckily, and unusually, there were no intrusive overhead spotlights and I took just a few photos.
Kelly told me that she has been working for just one month at the café and really loves it.
Previously she was employed on a 1:1 basis in a nursery pre-school setting with 2 to 4 year old children needing special help She also worked within a reception class of 4-year olds with similar needs. She found this work emotionally draining and eventually had nothing left to share with her own family.
Now she walks to work at the café, works hard and can leave work behind at leaving-off time. Working life does not intrude on her personal life and she is happier. Her daughter also has a little weekend job at Cedar Nursery.
I thanked Kelly and gave her my card to contact me for photos.
A small and belated September update for 2024, where I am still, after many years' membership, on 365 Project, also now posting elsewhere but wanting...
A lovely little clip of Kelly & her background. She looks happy in her job & I get completely the draining of emotions after such a long time caring for others, it's bound to tell on you in time!
