I just enjoyed a brief but inspiring conversation with an immigrant doing janitorial work.

“How are you?” she asked me cheerily.

“I’m well, and you?” I replied.

She grinned, and carried on in fractured English: “I am so happy! I am happy because I am here, and I am working.”

She pointed to the cart of brooms and wastepaper she was pushing.

“It’s only housekeeping,” she said. “But it is work, and I am here!”