Times have been troubling for many, and with recent unforeseen circumstance within our nation, days have gotten darker. Government downsizing has been impacting many loyal hard workers, and the job market is tougher than ever before, with more than 0.5% of US population or 1,700,000 more people reporting unemployment at around the same time in February 2023 (statistics from the US Department of Labor). However some are turning to various sources in order to vent this misfortune. This past February, two women visited our store and chose to paint our piece titled HOPE. Curious about their choice, we asked if there was a reason behind it. They shared their story—both had been loyal government employees for years, dedicated workers who, without warning, lost their jobs. Yet, rather than giving in to despair, they held onto hope, believing that better days were ahead.
I myself, in February, was traveling, and ran into another woman in similar circumstance. I woke up at around 4:00 AM for an early morning flight, I requested an Uber to the airport, expecting a delay due to the early hour. To my surprise, a driver accepted immediately. When she arrived, I struck up a conversation and asked if early mornings were a good time for business. She smiled and said, “Late nights are always good for customers.” Her wording caught my attention, so I asked when she had started her shift. “8 PM,” she replied. She had been driving through the night.
She then shared her story—she had worked for the IRS for over a decade, a loyal and diligent employee, before being let go without warning. With her specialized experience, finding new employment was challenging. But instead of giving up, she chose to keep going. She worked long hours, doing what she could to support herself and her loved ones.
These stories of perseverance resonate deeply with us at Manna Pottery. Our foundation is built on hope. Rezgar Mamandi, the artist behind our work, comes from Kurdistan, where resilience is not just a mindset but a way of life. Speaking to Rezgar Mamandi about this subject he told me "In Kurdistan we have a saying, Berxwedan jiyan e which translates to "Resistance is Life". This phrase reflects the spirit of those who refuse to surrender to hardship, who hold onto hope even in uncertainty.
To those navigating difficult times, we stand with you. Like the clay that is shaped, fired, and transformed into something beautiful, resilience shapes us into something stronger.
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