Canada Free Press -- ARCHIVES

Because without America, there is no free world.

Return to Canada Free Press

From the Editor

an everyday star

by Judi McLeod

March 15, 2004

Manuel, who hails from Sri Lanka, may be only one of the must-be hordes of the Toronto Star’s delivery agents, but to me he’s literally a true star.

I count on finding the newspaper at my apartment door every morning, no matter the season. Not a big fan of what I believe is "The Newspaper of Victims", I pore daily through the Metro edition, particularly close to deadline time, to make sure the cover stories of the Toronto printed edition of Canada Free Press, are guaranteed exclusive.

Manuel and I have never met, other than briefly conversing over the telephone these past few years. Manuel, 42, came into my life making a promise that he vigilantly kept. His two predecessors had complicated my sometimes-hectic life. Come collection time, my payment and tip went missing when by pre-arrangement I left their money at the door. Since it had never happened before, I doubted that it was my neighbours along the hallway.

My decision to run across the street to the newspaper box had already been made when Manuel came a calling.

When I blasted his sales pitch over the telephone, it was more out of frustration than spite.

"If you give me a chance, that will never happen with me," said Manuel.

My delivery has been consistent and the money never went missing.

When my monthly payment was due, Manuel always took the time to call and find out when he could expect my envelope. I got to know a little bit about him over the years, that he was a hard-working immigrant and the proud father of two school age children.

When the Star went off on its tangent last year, accusing the Toronto police and the Blue Jays of wholesale racism, some people I know decided to boycott the daily. after briefly considering the same option, I decided that the Star, wouldn’t get my message, but Manuel would.

Then last Sunday, came an early morning knock on my door. When I answered, Manuel’s replacement was standing there. Manuel, I was told, was recovering in St. Michael’s Hospital from brain surgery.

I thought of Manuel lying in a hospital bed all day. His distinctive voice on the telephone, and the endearing accent when he pronounces my name, repeated over and over in my memory.

By the day’s end, his wife took the trouble to call me, to make sure I had understood the replacement’s message.

His wife kindly told me a little about his recuperation when I inquired. How although the operation was successful, her husband’s having trouble moving his limbs and how he was experiencing difficulty with his speech.

When I mentioned how it must be a terrible worry with the family’s main breadwinner not able to do his job, she courageously told me how they would be all right because she, too, has a job.

Helping her husband with his bookwork on his return home, taught her the names and eccentricities of all his customers.

To be so unwaveringly brave in the cruel face of adversity told me much about Manuel’s wife.

Manuel’s story is the story of so many honest and hardworking immigrants, who come to this country and do the most menial of work to support their families.

Putting all of his customers first, he does his employer proud.

God speed your recovery, Manuel, you’re an everyday star.

Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com


Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2018 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2018 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement