Mother Se’May Sayer: The ARC of Time
Season 3:
Episode 8: Due Diligence
Prologue:
(Mother Sayer makes it a responsibility to take a trip to Israel every few years. She called over to the trucking company and a soft voice answers the phone. Greetings are exchanged and she asks to speak with Son Skyy. Mother Sayer always spends a few minutes with Son on the phone even though she stops by the trucking company once a week for a month before she asks him to contact the General.
Son Skyy has a renewed relationship with the General. It is more like a friendship born of a promise that has turned into something righteous. General Tholodious has pulled a relative out of harms way in Thailand. Son has just as much to thank the General for as Mother Sayer. It is now a request for two travelers down from the usual three in the last decade, but Son thinks that is what happens as friends get older. The child as well as he smiles to himself.
Mother Sayer will be flying to Israel in two weeks with her daughter that is now 16 years old. The General saved her from a life of sorrow and she goes to pay her respects and thanks as often as she can. In between the covert operations organization the General commands which is crucial to the safety and security of Israel. Mother Sayer knows their visit will be brief. She just wants Doyenne to never forget the woman that cared for her after her ordeal with the ‘goon’. Anyway, this relationship is now a part of Mother’s life and she will cherish it by constantly renewing it.).
Mother Sayer: Sarah. How’s everything with your new business?
Sarah W. Certainty: It’s a scenic ride.
Mother Sayer: Oh. Not that exciting? Okay. Tell me about the view.
Sarah W. Certainty: The view is hard looking out the window. A lot of things are blocking my view. The people I go after are taking a long time to come on board. I have two designers. Me and one young Black male. That’s it. In other words the gearshift is stuck in neutral.
Mother Sayer: Okay. Come. Let us sit down and you tell me exactly what’s been going on.
Sarah W. Certainty: The company. It’s not getting off the ground at the speed I thought it would. The office space, supplies and contacts are all as expected, but the recruits I’m giving a chance just aren’t far enough along in their desires I suppose. Nobody is hungry.
Mother Sayer: Wait. Slow down. What do you mean nobody is hungry?
Sarah W. Certainty: I’m not hungry!
Mother Sayer: I thought it would take you longer to get to saying that. Now that is over let’s remind ourselves of a few truths about human motivations. Starting with you. Sarah. You got to begin at the lower common denominator when you start out on your own to build your business.
Sarah W. Certainty: What’s my lowest common denominator?
Mother Sayer: Let me say it this way. You’ve worked for me right?
Sarah W. Certainty: Yes I have.
Mother Sayer: When you came to work every day. Did you tell yourself you wanted to do a good job for me?
Sarah W. Certainty: Yes I did. I mean. I always did a good job for you.
Mother Sayer: So. Give yourself the exact same effort, drive and motivation you gave me. Give it to yourself.
Sarah W. Certainty: What?
Mother Sayer: I felt the same way you were feeling before I learned what I just told you. Being a self-starter is a superpower. Do you get what I’m saying?
Sarah W. Certainty: Act like the boss except the boss is actually me right?
Mother Sayer: That sounds like oppression. How about more explanation of what all of us have been doing for survival on this planet. To break it down to the basics it’s called the ‘barter’ system. You and I have traded our physical and mental labor for currency. For money. We use that money to live a life that is satisfactory to our needs hopefully.
Sarah W. Certainty: Oh. I see. Now there is no one over me, so everything is on me. The one that expects me to get it done now is basically me.
Mother Sayer: That’s right. Now. Keep it that simple. As far as your recruit goes, you may have to motivate him. All of this is new to him as well, so watch yourself how you approach him with this new life lesson. Remember. The key is encouragement and not condemnation.
Sarah W. Certainty: Right. I know. Don’t speak too harshly when the times are rough. I’m the leader and the leader takes the ‘hit’. Not your people. Your people must always know that no matter what happens. They will not be blamed for it. Everything is on me.
Mother Sayer: There you go. That’s my best twang voice. I hope that didn’t sound too country?
Sarah W. Certainty: It did. I mean you’re still from Kentucky. Just because you eat pancakes and a loaded omelet with fruit for breakfast doesn’t make you uppity.
Mother Sayer: Sarah. I promise you. I’m going to bust your head one day.
Sarah W. Certainty: I don’t mean to laugh, but it was funny. You taught me to be myself. You don’t sound too bougie yet, but you’re getting there.
Mother Sayer: I do sound bougie sometimes, but I’m entitled to sound like that for the years I had to eat crappie before my Mother married Mr. Sayer. I deserve what I have because I worked hard to make them mine.
Sarah W. Certainty: No apologies for flashiness?
Mother Sayer: Fuck no! Oh, by the way. I’m taking another trip to Israel in a few weeks. Be a doll and look after things while I’m gone. I said that as prim and proper as I could even throwing my hair to one side. How did I do?
Sarah W. Certainty: Like a bitch boss.
Epilogue:
(Sarah knows she hasn’t lost her touch either. It’s just that she got stalled out a little from getting the business started to forgetting she still is the only one that believes in Sew-Wear. Therefore she is the only one that can make it happen. Sarah laughs to herself. She thinks and allows her spirit to feel blessed to have two Mothers that takes care of her.
I hope Mother Sayer has a wonderful time with her friend the General. Tholodious is a catchy name. He sure did earn it from the way Mother described his team rescuing her daughter. Sarah thinks to herself again. That’s the whole ball game isn’t it? My chances of success are greater with family like that around. In life or business.).