This is a picture of my parents taken on the night of his retirement party. It just so happened that it was close to their wedding anniversary also....40 years.My dad was so nervous about this party. The place where he worked rented a hall and really had quite an affair for him. He was embarrassed over being the center of attention.....and yes, they ROASTED him. He got poems and cards and the usual engraved wristwatch. It was very emotional for him....he felt like he was leaving family.
My father started out as a milkman then went to work as a factory worker. This was in addition to running a farm. After he'd been there many years, the factory liquidated and moved to another state. The employees were all told they could have their jobs if they wanted to relocate as well. There was no way my dad could relocate so he took his severance pay and hit the streets looking for a job, along with 90% of the other workers. He was middle-aged at the time and he knew that he would have to be clever and quick in order to secure employment. He found out about a possible job opening at a place that would be absolutely perfect for him. He knew he could do the job and it was only 3 miles from home.
Since he found out 'by rumor' about the possibility of an opening there, no ads were in the paper. My dad got his foot in the door before anyone else. The old guy whose position they were going to fill was leaving; the job was just too much for him anymore. He hadn't given a date so no one knew for sure when the opening would occur. My dad went there every single day. The boss of the place said to him one day that he was going to hire him just to keep him away from his office. They all laughed but it gave my dad a glimmer of hope. Sure enough, when the old guy put in his resignation they hired my dad; they didn't even bother to advertise. They were never sorry they hired him as he was never sorry he got in there. The pay and the benefits were more than twice what he was getting in the factory.
Perseverance......that was the key. My dad always said that if something was worth having, you had to put forth the effort in getting it. Sadly, for the most part, those old values have fallen by the wayside nowadays.
I think of this story often whenever something adverse happens in my life. My mom always said that things happen for a reason....she was a great believer in that. Given the rough childhood she had...it was a good thing she was. So if my dad's place of work hadn't moved, he would never have found this much greater opportunity which gave them so much comfort in their lives. Yes...they had a good life.
16 comments:
That is a really great story about your dad. He had a terrific attitude and wonderful work ethic - something that I feel is lacking in many people today sadly. Those are terrific memories and I enjoyed reading them.
such a good story. Yep, it seems that so many thinngs have changed. Is it for the better or worse? i guess you hear differing sides of it. I have mine too, i suppose,, lol
Loved the story and such a lovely couple. I would sure love to turn back the clock to the time when a handshake was all that was needed, not a signature. Sounds like your Dad was one of those people,they don't make them like that anymore. You were blessed with good parents,so was I.
What a beautiful, beautiful couple! Dressed to "the nines", so they say, and such a lovely remembrance photo for you. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Sounds as though your Father was certainly keeping his family first and did not give up on what he wanted! BRAVO for him!! Great nostalgia...
A great story! I'm a great believer in things happening for a reason too!
Val, your parents look so beautiful! And what a lovely story! It's so nice to see that hard work and going after what he wanted paid off for your Daddy. Is life so much better today? Easier, yes, in some ways, but better? I doubt it!
Beautiful story and picture!!
What a wonderful couple your mom and dad were Val. I loved reading this post...it just made my heart feel warm. Good people deserve to be happy....and they surely seemed happy. Your dad was one heck of a great guy, and your mom was the perfect partner for him. Love, Joy
It is so true that the values that drove that generation have died.
Your parents make a very handsome couple.
I too am a great believer in 'everything happens for a reason'.
Blessings to you
Oh Val, your parents were such a beautiful couple. I loved reading this, no wonder you are such a wondeful person. You had the best of everything as a child, by that I mean, love and good-character teaching. That too, I believe, is going by the wayside. Thank you for posting this photo and story, I loved it. :)
you seem to really have family on your mind lately--
i am happy that your memories are good ones.
big hugs to you 'charlotte'
have a happy friday
I force myself to hang around hopelessly optimistic people in the hopes that I'll learn how to pull it off. But their optimism borders on the "It'll happen whether I work for it or not" or "If I PRAY enough......" etc.
Your dad grabbed the bull by the horns and MADE it happen.
You can't find ANYONE in the younger generations willing to do that now.
In response to the last comment..I think there are still lots of younger people willing to work for what they want..we can't get too cynical because then what's the point...I was one that always had to work for what I got and hope I passed that on to my neices and nephews by example...young peple only know what they have been taught and it sounds like your parents did their job very well...
That is such a heartwarming post. Thanks for sharing.
I love stories about people with pluck. They always land on their feet.
What a wonderful work ethic your dad had and good for him for his perseverance. They look lovely together and aren't you and your dad alike?
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