Vendor Writing

I have the best job in the world. Why? Because as Director of The Contributor, I get to be friends with people like Norma B, one of the most authentic, hard-working and funny people you will ever meet. Norma B is a Contributor vendor who, unbeknownst to me, purchased enough face masks and hand sanitizer to be sure that every Nashville council member had one. When they invited her to bang the gavel at their first in-person council meeting, she needed a ride, and called me to ask for one and told me the whole story. I was dumbfounded that she had done this and humbled that I hadn’t thought to be so generous.

The amazement and humility only grew when I wheeled her into the meeting at Music City Center. Dozens of council members had on Contributor face masks. My heart just exploded and tears of gratitude filled my eyes. Contributor vendors work hard to just maintain what they’ve built in a sometimes very unkind world. To witness this show of respect and support for Norma just pierced my soul. So thanks Metro Council! You all are the best!! And there is more, believe it or not! Read Norma’s article below and discover the rest of the story. - Cathy Jennings

Giving that Led to an Unexpected Reward

BY NORMA B.

Soon after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Contributor began selling hand sanitizer and face masks in addition to the paper.

Over the course of several months, I collected enough masks for each Metro council member to have Contributor masks of their own, and sent them to my local councilwoman Erin Evans by mail to give to her colleagues. I tried to do the same with the hand sanitizer, but that was not an option as the people at the post office looked at me like I was a terrorist. I’m happy to report Erin agreed to deliver the hand sanitizer as well. She was even kind enough to stop by my spot and pick them up.

Some time later, she stopped by my spot again for a visit, this time to extend an invitation via Vice Mayor Jim Shulman to bang the gavel at the first in person council meeting at the Music City Center since the pandemic on Tuesday, May 4.

I explained that I didn’t send those things to receive any kind of recognition. I did it because it seemed like the right thing to do in light of the times we’re now living in.

I said it was an attempt to recognize the hard work they do for people in the community that often goes unnoticed — let’s face it, theirs is a thankless job. I mean, no matter what they decide on the issues at hand, they can’t please everyone, and their work has to continue in spite of the pandemic. If my gesture brought about some good will for the paper that it would be a win-win.

Initially I was hesitant to do it, but after thinking it over for a while, and talking with our Executive Director Cathy Jennings, and a few of my valued customers, I decided to seize the opportunity and bang the gavel. I do like to make noise.

I have to say, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was nervous being out of my comfort zone, but everyone there made me feel very welcome! A few council members even bought papers while I was there!

Cathy said, “It was heartwarming to see so many of the council members wearing their Contributor masks,” and I have to agree.

Erin had even shown me pictures of some of the councilmen and women wearing their masks while out and about working in the communities they serve, and it was very moving! I felt like I’d achieved my goal.

After banging the gavel authoritatively three times as I was instructed to do, I whispered to Jim, “Can I go now?” He said, "No, stay right here." Little did I know, the surprises weren’t over for me just yet.

After telling everyone what I’d done about the masks, paying for them out of my own pocket (a decision that was made easier when they lowered the price to $1) and identifying me as a top vendor of The Contributor, he then presented me with my top 15 medal! Wow!!! (I’m glad I was wearing a mask so no one could see that I was seriously blushing!)

I never expected any of that! Pretty Cool, right?

He then invited me to say a few words. Again, I wasn’t prepared, but I did the best I could (speaking extemporaneously has never been my thing), but hopefully what I said made sense to all those in attendance. They said I didn’t sound nervous, but believe me, I was. Honestly, everything’s a blur after that. All I do know is everyone was standing and clapping. It was amazing and a bit overwhelming. I’ve never experienced anything quite like that before.

Then, Cathy, her husband John and I had a nice dinner of Mexican food at Cinco De Mayo near my home, and then we went our separate ways. You’d think that would be the end of the story, but that’s not the case.

Fast forward to Friday, May 7, and Cathy contacted me and said, “The vice mayor called and wants to take us to dinner,” and perhaps the best part is I got to pick and the place! (To some, I know this might not seem like a big deal, but my granddaughter's idea of "good cuisine" is McDonalds or Chick-Fil-A.)

A few wonderful things came about as a result of this unexpected invitation. When I told one of my customers about this opportunity, she took my hands and said how proud and happy she was for me. Then she noticed how bad my nails were (I’m a chronic nail biter) and said I needed to get them done, because, "I was runnin’ with the big dogs now." I told her, “If you think I’m spending my hard earned money on my nails, you are mistaken.” She pulled out a $50 bill and told me to use hers, and I got a lovely French manicure, which is still holding up nicely.

My daughter Laura fixed my hair, and although I didn’t get a new dress for the occasion (the one I wore was my favorite color, purple), I did get some much needed comfortable new shoes for the occasion.

I picked the Gondola House Pizzeria for dinner. I love Italian food, and we had one of those years ago in Gallatin where I’m from, and it was always good. I’ve wanted to try the one in Hermitage ever since I moved here, but I’ve never gotten around to it. The food was quite tasty! I had the meat lasagna, but I also got to try the spinach lasagna thanks to Cathy, and the pesto Jim had looked pretty yummy too. He even got a pizza for all of us to try, saying, ‘It [was] a pizzeria, after all." I even got to take all the left-overs home with me! Yay! (That way everybody in my house got to try some.)

As good as the food was, the company was even better. My councilwoman Erin Evans — who’s been an avid supporter of The Contributor and me — was there, as was Cathy Jennings our Executive Director, and of course, Jim Shulman the vice mayor. It doesn’t get any better than that in my opinion.

I have to say, I’ve always thought that those in politics were stuffy and uptight, but that was not the case with the vice mayor. I found him to be approachable, friendly, and very down to earth. He actually listens to what you have to say before offering his thoughts and opinions — an admirable quality for anybody to have, not just politicians.

He even told some pretty entertaining stories over dinner, but I suppose those are his to tell, not mine.

As a perfect ending to a pretty incredible evening, the vice mayor bought the latest edition of The Contributor and an additional face mask for $5. (I’m pretty sure there’s photographic evidence somewhere — Cathy was taking plenty of pictures.)

Thanks to his invitation, coupled with his kindness and generosity, and the warm welcome from the other members of the council, they really made "Norma the nobody" feel like somebody special, and they gave me an experience I’m sure I will never forget, and I think it’s safe to say, I doubt they will either.

If there’s one thing this experience has taught me, it’s how amazing one simple act of kindness can lead to such wonderful blessings!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who made this possible!