As some of you know, I took a position as a plant manager at a machine shop, about a month ago. Anyways, I was making my way around the shop today and have been getting to know the employees better.
One guy I spent time with today helped to humble me. He is in his early 30's, a great worker and never says "boo" to anyone.
I asked some small talk questions, then about his family, if any. Well, he has a 12 year old daughter, in which he is raising alone because his girlfriend, the girl's mother, died 4 years ago at 28. She had a heart condition. Then, 2 years ago his mother died in a housefire.
This job he currently has, is his first permanent position since he started working. He's always been a temp up until last year when our company hired him. He does not have a vehicle and lives 6 blocks from work, in the middle of York city. Well, 6 months ago, while walking home from work at 11pm, he gets jumped by 5 guys. He received 2 fractured ribs and cuts to his face that required stitches. A cell phone and $100.00 were stolen.
He now pays an older gentleman (neighbor) $25.00 per week to take him to and from work. His 12 year old daughter gets off the bus at his deceased girlfriends mothers home and he and the neighbor pick the girl up at 11:15 pm every night to go back to their little apartment.
His work boots are so worn out that the heels are gone on the insides. I asked him about Christmas. He said he and his daughter have put the tree up and decorated it. They really enjoyed it. I asked him if she had given him a wish list from Santa. He said, oh yes. She asked for a MP3 player and digital camera. He said he had not shopped at all yet, but had planned on getting a taxi this weekend to go find some things for her. I said good luck with everything.
Here I am, just lost my job 2 months ago, but this guy has lost "nearly" everything, does not make a lot of money, and never has a complaint, I've heard, about anything. It just brought tears to my eyes.
Surely, the little girl will not receive the gifts she asked for. If he had the money himself, there is no doubt in my mind he would have those gifts for his daughter.
Luckily, we have an extra brand new Ipod that I received when purchasing excercise equipment last year. And, Cody has a brand new pair of steel toed workboots that are a tad too small that he has had in his closet for 6 months.
I'm going to take these two items to work on Monday and see that he anonymously receives them.
So, in closing, I was humbled today. I'm very thankful to have my beautiful family, our health, and our friends.
Happy Holidays !!!
J.R., Denice and the kids..
One guy I spent time with today helped to humble me. He is in his early 30's, a great worker and never says "boo" to anyone.
I asked some small talk questions, then about his family, if any. Well, he has a 12 year old daughter, in which he is raising alone because his girlfriend, the girl's mother, died 4 years ago at 28. She had a heart condition. Then, 2 years ago his mother died in a housefire.
This job he currently has, is his first permanent position since he started working. He's always been a temp up until last year when our company hired him. He does not have a vehicle and lives 6 blocks from work, in the middle of York city. Well, 6 months ago, while walking home from work at 11pm, he gets jumped by 5 guys. He received 2 fractured ribs and cuts to his face that required stitches. A cell phone and $100.00 were stolen.
He now pays an older gentleman (neighbor) $25.00 per week to take him to and from work. His 12 year old daughter gets off the bus at his deceased girlfriends mothers home and he and the neighbor pick the girl up at 11:15 pm every night to go back to their little apartment.
His work boots are so worn out that the heels are gone on the insides. I asked him about Christmas. He said he and his daughter have put the tree up and decorated it. They really enjoyed it. I asked him if she had given him a wish list from Santa. He said, oh yes. She asked for a MP3 player and digital camera. He said he had not shopped at all yet, but had planned on getting a taxi this weekend to go find some things for her. I said good luck with everything.
Here I am, just lost my job 2 months ago, but this guy has lost "nearly" everything, does not make a lot of money, and never has a complaint, I've heard, about anything. It just brought tears to my eyes.
Surely, the little girl will not receive the gifts she asked for. If he had the money himself, there is no doubt in my mind he would have those gifts for his daughter.
Luckily, we have an extra brand new Ipod that I received when purchasing excercise equipment last year. And, Cody has a brand new pair of steel toed workboots that are a tad too small that he has had in his closet for 6 months.
I'm going to take these two items to work on Monday and see that he anonymously receives them.
So, in closing, I was humbled today. I'm very thankful to have my beautiful family, our health, and our friends.
Happy Holidays !!!
J.R., Denice and the kids..
