TODAY MARKS A SPECIAL DAY in my life, as much as it marks a special day for my second-born, Miranda. Today she celebrates her 30-something birthday.
This post celebrates a daughter who is beautiful in every essence of her being. She is strong and loving and compassionate. Those who know her well value her quiet spirit, her resilience, her kindness. She has always been deeply considerate of others, never needing to be the center of attention, a good listener.
Those qualities made Miranda really good at what she did professionally. I write that in past tense because, earlier this year, she lost her job as an independent contract Spanish medical interpreter. That happened in the spring when Madison, Wisconsin, hospitals and clinics closed their doors to elective visits and surgeries due to COVID-19. The need for her services could be handled by in-house interpreters.
After years of interpreting, most in the Fox Valley area of northeastern Wisconsin, Miranda found herself without the job she loved. Interpreting for Spanish-speaking patients was such a good fit for her given her love of language, her calm personality and, most of all, her compassion for helping others. When you’re interpreting for patients and their families in crisis (think automobile accidents, stabbings and other medical emergencies) or getting difficult diagnoses or even at the birth of a child, it takes a special person to remain calm and professional.
Miranda realized immediately after her job loss that she needed to find other employment because it could be months before regular healthcare resumed. Eventually, she landed a job as a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service. Today she continues to deliver mail, working six days a week, sometimes 10-plus hours a day. I admire her positive attitude about this new job despite the long hours, only one day a week off and the political attacks a few months back on the postal service. That’s a lot of negatives.
Yet, as she’s always done, Miranda has risen above the challenges. She is strong. She is hardworking. She is resilient. I love this daughter of mine, this beautiful young woman who has always been here for our family and so many other families. Loving and caring, in her own quiet way.
It is my hope that someday she can return to interpreting. But in these days when hospitals are overwhelmed with COVID patients and on the cusp of, if not already, shutting down elective surgeries and visits, she needs job security. For now that comes in delivering mail as an essential worker, someone who cares about getting letters and magazines and all those packages delivered.
I remember my daughter’s early delivery, how we scrambled in the early morning hours to find someone to watch her big sister so I could get to the hospital days ahead of a scheduled C-section. Even back then, Miranda had a mind of her own. From the very beginning, she set the timetable for her life in asserting her strength and independence.
Happy birthday, dear Miranda! I love you and I miss you!
© Copyright Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
What a lovely young woman, no wonder you’re so proud. This pandemic’s brought home to all of us how essential some jobs are, and, until now, how under appreciated. Delivery workers are such a lifeline, many have said how seeing the ‘Postie’ out and about cheers them up. Mine told me he gets many people thanking him in the street. I hope Miranda can get back to her chosen work as soon as it’s safe.
Like your postie, Miranda has been thanked by those on her route. I know she appreciates those kind and uplifting words because she shares when that happens. She works long days, six days a week. That’s a lot for anyone. And I don’t think the general public realizes that. I didn’t until she started with the post office.
Happy Birthday to your daughter, Miranda. She is a hard worker, like you. I hope, too, she can return someday to serving as a translator because only a few have the skill and gifts to do that important job. I did not know the postal staff works 6 days a week — a big physical and mental challenge for anyone. Blessings to Miranda now and in the future.
Thank you, Bernadette. Just to clarify, Miranda is not yet considered a “regular” postal carrier. I think once she’s classified as such, she will have more than one day off a week. I’m learning a lot about the post office since she started her job. She works really hard, that much I know.
This is such a lovely tribute to your daughter on her birthday! Best wishes from us, too.
Thank you, Kathleen.
Happy milestone birthday to, Miranda! An exceptional young lady to be sure. I could say most of the glowing words about my two women together, separately they have a few blemishes, but I’ll take ’em and give thanks. And they’re both working, one in her chosen field, one not so much, but thankful to be working. Interpreting is such a need! It sounds like Miranda’s chosen job is there for her when this is over. By then, the PO won’t want to lose her! I have a dear friend whose niece is driving mail delivery around rural Pierce Cty. As parents, we all did something right. Congratulations to you all. 21 will be better. We have to believe that.
Thank you for the wishes for my daughter. Your two sound lovely also. Yes, 2021 will be better. We have to believe that.
My, oh my what a lovely tribute to your daughter. Words carefully chosen describing her strengths and qualities. A daughter, really could have no greater gift for her birthday than one penned here.
Thank you, Sue. It’s good to hear from you.
A few days late but happy birthday to Miranda! I thank her for her work and for her ability to do what needs to be done to adapt during a challenging time.
Thank you for your wishes for my daughter. I appreciate them.