“It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one

than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.”

– Whitney Young Jr., American civil rights leader

“I’m looking for work,” she declared. “Can I fill out an application?”

Andrea looked up from the till and was surprised by what she saw: the shock of white hair, the stained T-shirt and rumpled sweats at least a week shy of the washing machine. One could imagine in the middle of cleaning the garage or changing oil in the pickup, this woman had dropped what she was doing and left to apply for work at the local pizza restaurant.

“I’m not looking to hire anyone,” said Andrea, and I knew in truth, she wasn’t.

“But I can...

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