surprised by my doorman

I live in a doorman building and every year we get a card from the staff.  It’s preprinted.  No signatures even.  It serves as a not so subtle hint to please remember them during the holidays.

So every year I write out my holiday cards.  It’s the only ones I write anymore.  Usually I just sign my name and enclose a check.  Sometimes I write something on the card.

I always tip the handyman more than the super because (A) he works harder, (B) he is responsive to my repair requests, and (C) he’s been here a long time and I like him very much.

I tip the doormen all the same, with two exceptions:

One is a new doorman/porter who was only recently hired.  I don’t think he’s very good.  A few weeks ago I smelled smoke in the hallway and told him.  He shrugged his shoulders and said, “You’ll have to wait until the super gets back in a few hours.”

The other is the night doorman who is old and tired and pulls up a decrepit looking chair, with a pillow, and sleeps his entire shift.  He locks the front door and only wakes if you keep pounding on the door to be let in. Today he buzzes my apartment to tell me someone has dropped off a card for Alexander.  It's  6:30 am!

Later this morning I meet Robyn for coffee at an adorable new Belgian bakery in the neighborhood.  We haven’t seen each other since May, though the conversation remains light and breezy.  I hope she stays back in my life; I’ve missed her.

When I return to my building Anthony,  the day doorman, stops me. 

In his heavily Russian-accented English he says, “Oh, I have a surprise for you.”  I can’t imagine what surprise Anthony could possibly have for me.  Then he adds, “You will like it.”  He goes to a drawer and takes out a couple of Christmas cards that I had given him in years past.  In each, I had written a personal message.  He tells me that he keeps only those cards that are special to him.  My ambivalence towards him turns to instant like.

I try now to remember this year’s card.  I think I was in a hurry and only signed it and enclosed a check.  I wish I could take it back and re-do it.  I’d write something more thoughtful than warmly, lyn and alexander.  I had no idea the sentiment would be meaningful to him.

Next year’s card will definitely include more than a signature and check. I should have known better.