The Street Sweeper

The Street Sweeper

Colin Powell

Some years ago, there was a human interest segment about a street sweeper on the evening news.  I think he worked in Philadelphia.  He was a black gentleman and swept streets the old-fashioned way, with one of those wide, stiff bristle brooms and a wheeled garbage can.  He had a wife and several children and lived in a modest home.  It was a loving family, and he had high ambitions for his children.  He enjoyed his job very much and felt he was providing a worthwhile service to his community.  He had only one professional ambition in life and that was to get promoted to drive one of those mechanized street sweepers with big round brushes.

He finally achieved his ambition and was promoted to driving a street sweeping machine.  His wife and children were proud of him.  The television piece closed with him driving down the street; a huge smile on his face.  He knew who he was and what he was.

I run that video piece through my mind every few months as a reality check.  Here is a man happy in his work, providing an essential service for his community, providing for his family, who love and respect him.  Have I been more successful in what is truly important in life than he has been?  No, we have both been fortunate.  He has touched all the important bases in the game of life.  When we are ultimately judged, despite my titles and medals, he may have a few points on me, and on a lot of others.