Work

We all want things. Nothing makes that more self-evident than the celebration of "Black Friday". In order to get "things", we need money. Simple statements, yes, but they guide our lives.

Of the many ways to obtain money I chose work. It is the most common method for the majority of mankind. Regardless of gender,color, nationality, etc...we work. I started when I was thirteen. My first job was as a helper on a bread delivery truck. Brownie, the driver was older...in his fifties! And, wanted someone to do his running. So he would pick me up after school and we would do his route, him driving and loading me up with baked goods from Cushman Bakery to run into the customer. Some he delivered in person, I suspect tips were involved. Saturday was a whole day and we would have lunch in an Everett Square luncheonette where everyone knew him. Talk Red Sox, Braves, etc. The proceeds from this got me my first camera, a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. The camera experiment died fairly quickly, as I didn't enjoy paying for film and development...plus the results stunk!

Max got me my next position. He was working in the safety department of a trucking company and got me into the office. At first I used the bus to travel the 7 or 8 miles to work, but I soon bought a 3 speed bike and was off and flying. Home to work in half an hour with no diesel fumes. Clothes, Christmas presents, and money in the bank. I was rich! Of course I did not have bills, or any other obligations, just me!

School finally ended with me somehow getting through. I now faced a decision, WTH was I going to do? No decision jumping out at me, I enlisted in the Navy. It was in the days of selective service...they notified you that you had been selected, you served! Mud, dirt and guns were not something I even considered. Navy or Air Force. Went to the enlistment office, Navy open, Air Force not, history is made.

I don't want to bore you to death so let's just say that I have worked happily ever after, give or take on that happily. I found that when I let the small stuff run me,happiness and work didn't coincide. And, when I concentrated on letting life lead me, I was in a much better place. Not rich, but not mad. A good trade I think.

Times have changed. I have gone from Dick Tracy cartoons and his wrist watch radio, to carrying a cell phone that does even more. But work is still a part of my life. I have also learned that one job is not more grand than another. Just being employed gives you self-worth. That self esteem is just as important a part of your life and happiness as food!

As we age most of us talk about retirement and what is needed to accomplish it. The statistics seem to indicate that there is a higher mortality rate in the first year of retirement than any other time in a human lifespan. Interesting! Kind of takes the bloom off the rose! The idea of being housebound frightens me, as does the thought of regimented enjoyment...it's Tuesday so we play bocci, etc. Being surrounded by those your own age doesn't appeal any more now than when I was young. If we are all the same, how do we get new ideas? Different slants on a theme? Sure, I feel my age and wish things were as easy to do now as they used to be, but I enjoy the fact that each day is different and new. I also enjoy getting a paycheck! It was the original reason to work and is still number one on the list!

Gotta go, work calls...