Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay and a Mother's Will to Survive

Genre: Non Fiction

This is the true story of Stephanie Land and Mia, her young daughter. At a young age and without a stable relationship or supportive family, Land gives birth to Mia. She leaves her abusive relationship and tries to make it on her own. That proves to be easier said than done. She initially lands in many government supported programs; lives in assisted housing, receives food stamps, assisted child care, medicaid and much more. As another relationship fails, Land tries to make it on her own with as little assistance as possible. She begins working as a maid for a cleaning service and then works to find clients privately. This is the account of her experience cleaning her clients's homes for meager wages and working endless hours doing back breaking work that barely keeps her financially afloat. This is a true story of America's haves and have-nots and the great divide between them. It's a real view into the life of a hard working woman, trying to make a life for herself and her daughter.

This was not a pleasant read. Land's story is not charming, not quirky and not very hopeful. It's sobering. She recounts just how hard life is when lived in poverty. All that said, I am grateful for this real memoir. I think that as a culture, we either vilify or glorify the idea of poverty, giving it a fairy tale quality (think the evil witch or the princess). It's as though we think that being poor makes us strong, makes us better, gives us grit, teaches us to work hard. But, I suspect that poverty is a little like parenthood in that it only magnifies a person's true traits. If you're a hard worker, poverty (or wealth for that matter) will only exacerbate that trait. If you're kind, you will find ways to bestow that kindness on others regardless of your financial abilities. And conversely, if you are unmotivated, poverty will exacerbate that trait in you as well. I think this is an important read because Land does a great job telling it like it really is. Being poor is backbreaking, never-ending work and it's also about going without. Without food, without entertainment, without clothes. It's physically demanding, emotionally breaking and it can feel like a hole from which you can't climb out.

I think the best part of Land's book is that she is a great representative of some of the poor in our country. Not looking for a handout. Not wanting to take advantage of others. But, working and working and working and still not being able to meet some of the basic needs of her family. This is a big helping of reality, but it's a good lesson. There's no glory in poverty. Just hard work.