This post is for Sunday Dec 5th, 2010
MEMORY -
I remember getting aggravated with the physical demands of Peter's job. As he grew older, I was more concerned with his well being at work. He was the manager of the same book distribution company for many years. He worked hard and was very dedicated to his career. Some mornings, he would need to be at the airport at 4:30 am to stock shelves and meet with store managers. The book filled totes he had to lift on and off the truck were extremely heavy and more than enough weight for a man of his age to be lifting. Pete hardly ever complained and did what he had to do. I on the other hand felt a weight of guilt on my shoulders. Owning a business and being my own boss was truly working a "retirement position". I could call my own shots, rest when I was tired, make good money and create flexible schedules. Not to mention my job as a dance instructor is pure fun and always a joy. Here is man, close to his retirement, doing the physical labors of an 18 year old kid. Over time, his aging body had more and more difficulty with the work at hand.
After all those years of hard work, his retirement was finally here. It wasn't long after when he was hit with life changing news. He had cancer that was completely untreatable and quickly spreading throughout his body. His days of work were coming to an end while his hard earned retirement was unable to begin.
APPLICATION -
I had a great weekend teaching dance for the students of New York and New Jersey. My evening was over and my body was feeling fatigued and a little sore. As I got out of the car, I slightly twisted my knee. I went inside, sat with an ice pack and began to think of Pete. I'm 27 and already feeling the results of aging, I can't imagine what aches and pains Peter experienced in his mid 60's working the job he did. He did it every day, and no matter how much it hurt to see it, he loved what he did. Pete would rather have felt the physical pains of the job than to feel the pain of having no job at all.
REFLECTION -
I commend Peter for all that he did for his company. I admire his dedication, physical labor and willingness to make the company the best it could be. On earth, he had an aching body and driven soul. Today, he continues to have the same driven soul without the distraction of the aching body, giving him the perfect retirement he was ever so deserving of.
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