Welcome to Valerie’s happy restroom!
“Welcome to Valerie’s happy restroom! We’re gonna have a good time today. (singing) You are my sunshine, my only sunshine… Come on ladies, I got a special seat for you right here. You make me happy when skies are gray… No need to wait in line for a sink, there’s more on the other side… You never know dear, how much I love you, please don’t take my sunshine away… Have a great day! We are sharing some sunshine here in Valerie’s happy restroom! You are my sunshine…”
At a layover in Charlotte on Friday, my first stop after de-boarding the plane was the nearest ladies restroom. I was greeted by a woman with a big smile saying, “Welcome to Valerie’s happy rest room!” I smiled right back at her, and chuckled to myself, as I don’t think I’ve ever been so joyfully welcomed to a restroom before.
As I walked over to an available stall, I could hear her singing “You Are My Sunshine” and repeating her greeting as other women entered. When I walked over to the sink, several women were commenting about Valerie. Most were laughing or smiling. One woman said, “I wish I enjoyed my job that much.” Another woman sarcastically commented, “I wonder what she had for breakfast.”
“Welcome to Valerie’s happy restroom! There are plenty of seats for all. You make me happy when skies are gray…”
Valerie is a restroom attendant at the Charlotte Airport. She is also a person who is clearly committed to service excellence – even when that service is simply keeping a restroom clean. It’s probably not a job that most of us would not aspire to. Valerie, however, has found a way to take pride in her work, share a little happiness with her customers, and help us all smile, even if for just a few moments. I would be willing to bet that I am not the only person in Charlotte still humming that song to myself.
As we were in line to board, another couple was behind us and my husband overheard the wife telling her husband about this lady singing in the restroom. My husband turned and asked if she was talking about “Valerie’s happy restroom,” which I had already told him about. This then led to a brief conversation punctuated with smiles and laughter as we, perfect strangers, continued to share Valerie’s happiness.
There is a saying that goes like this: Sorrow shared is halved while joy shared is doubled. With the number of women that must go through Valerie’s happy restroom each day, I can’t imagine how many times her joy is doubled, exponentially!
“Hey, thanks for stopping by. Share a little happiness today! You are my sunshine…”
You, too, Valerie. You, too. You are my sunshine…
Tags: Attitude, Gratitude, Happiness, Life, Positivity
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June 27, 2010 at 7:20 pm
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June 29, 2010 at 3:29 pm
What’s funny about this is that if you actually listen to the words, especially of the verses, this is an extremely sad breakup song!
It’s true, though, there’s something about singing and being happy that is contageous to those around us. Valerie is proof positive that we don’t have to live life “under the circumstances”… we can rise above them.
Makes me want to go to the Charlotte airport!
June 29, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Great points, Luke. Your comment prompted me to look up the rest of the lyrics; sad indeed! You’re absolutely right – attitudes really are contagious!