Work By Dr. Juan Harrison

A fella was at our house doing some beautifying around some windows for my wife.  He was doing a great job as he obviously took great pride in his work as he lovingly added each piece of trim with great care.  He and I got into a brief discussion about work as Mamaw was giving me the evil eye for distracting her artisan from his work.

We agreed that it seems a lot of younger folks have missed out on that good feeling that a lot of us senior folks have loved as we’ve worked at jobs in our lifetimes.  Mamaw and I agree that we’ve enjoyed just about every job we’ve had.  I wouldn’t want to go back to any kind of full-time employment at my advanced age, but I find myself sometimes missing the fellowship and feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction we experienced in the workplace.

I wouldn’t dare to think about having a regular job with set hours.  I enjoy my flexible schedule of part-time work in my little side hustle.  Seems like I’m good for about a half a day.  I figure if I haven’t struck it rich by now it ain’t happening.  So, Mamaw and I help out my lawyer son by doing a little work for him. I’ve kept my little lawn business I’ve had forever.   I could tolerate working inside for most of my career, but my true love was working outside.  It’s hard to take the farmer out of the farm boy.  Something about getting your hands dirty and sweating a tad.

The woodworker and I talked about the feeling you get when you’re working and doing a good job on something you enjoy.   I’ve read where a large number of folks say they do not enjoy their jobs.  I say go find one you do like.  Life is too short.  Still, whatever jobs I’ve had, I’ve tried to find things about it that I liked.  A lot of life is simply our attitude toward things.  Happiness is a choice.  If we focus on the negative, we’re gonna end up crochety old crabby codgers with nobody wanting to come see us. 

I remind my wife and myself to constantly count our blessings.  Hard to find another part of the world with all the opportunities, freedom, and blessings we get to experience here in America.  If I wanna do a little part-time work to help offset the rising cost of living, I bet I could find one.  I warn all my elderly friends that if they did go out and get one of those part-time gigs, they better watch out.  Us older guys have ingrained in our DNA some pretty good work habits that some of the young folks ain’t.  They’ll be trying to push you into full-time work.  Nope.  I didn’t retire to rehire.  I love my simple little life and grandbaby hugs.

 By Dr. Juan Harrison