“Choose a job that you like and you will never have to work a day in your life” - Confucius

 

If every ending is a new beginning; tomorrow dawns a new beginning for a very important man in my life, my dad.  Today is my father’s last day of work.  He is retiring after nearly 50 years in the grocery industry.   That doesn’t seem possible; no one does that these days.  As my dad wants it, today there will be no pomp and circumstance, no parties or balloons, just a quick slip out the back door (which tells more about my dad than anything).  To him it’s simply another day of work, even if it will be his final day.  My dad began working in a grocery store the minute he could get his first job and he never really left the business, except for his paid vacation to the Vietnam War, courtesy of the US ARMY.   He started on the bottom, in a local grocery store, soon moving around often from store to store, quickly working his way up the ladder to store manager. 

Thirty six years ago dad found out that corporate America was not for him and set off to work for the same small independent supermarket that he will be walking out the door for the final time today.   My father’s work ethic is like no other.  He continually put his blood, sweat and tears into the store and always treated it like it was his own.   When I was a youngster, I can remember him saying all the time, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”   The dedication and loyalty he showed to his job was unprecedented.  When I was little he worked lengthy hours, paying his dues.  As most people in retail, he worked weekends, nights and even holidays, but I can’t remember ever hearing him complain, not even once.   When talking about events from the past that he can’t remember, there is a running joke, he says, “I must have been working that day” and he probably was.  His job was always a priority (not in an adverse way) in a way that makes me proud to be his daughter.   He worked hard to provide for my family and it was important to him.   Commiiting as many years as he has to one profession shows a very solid character, one that not many in my generation emulate nowadays.

Confucius said, “Choose a job that you like and you will never have to work a day in your life”  I think my dad has done that.  I know a grocery store doesn’t sound especially glamorous and I don’t imagine I would have lasted more than a few weeks at it but my dad loved it.  When he told stories about his time at work, he always spoke with some level of pride, like he was doing something important and really he was.   I remember my dad telling me how much he loved the grocery business and how he felt it was so exciting.  I’ll never forget him telling me how it was the perfect business to get into, because quote, “people are always going to need to eat.”

My dad devoted the majority of his life to a business he loved, during a time when independent grocery stores were at the height of their existence and he was very successful at it.   No career that spans half a century can be all peaches and cream, I’m sure there were many rough days, when my dad wanted to throw in the towel but he never did.   Knowing my father he will ONLY take with him the positive experiences and lessons he acquired along the way, because that’s just how he is.   One thing I know, the store will go on without my dad and there will be a new store manager but I believe the people in the community and his co-workers will be better off for knowing him and having him be part of their everyday lives, I know I am.   They may not have all loved him, but I would dare say most of them would say he is a good man who loved what he did. 

To my dad, I love you with all my heart.  You have inspired me my whole life, your perseverance; strength, loyalty, generosity and dedication have been the best examples to learn from.   As for tomorrow, well the world is your oyster (isn’t that what they say).  Sleep in, kick back, drink some coffee and get ready for your new beginning.  I can’t wait to see what you come up with.  My hope for you is that you finally figure out what you want to be when you grow up.  Maybe you will record that #1 hit song or spend some time fishing or maybe golfing.  Maybe you will finally get to buy that convertible you’ve been dreaming about and someday drive with no real destination in mind.  Yes, tomorrow is a fresh start, a new beginning where you finally get to be just the customer and hang up your white shirt and tie. You do know the customer is always right, don’t you?  Dad, welcome to retirement, where the pay sucks but the hours are great!