A Job to Do

-
I had to drive a long ways yesterday to get to where I was needed for my job. Of course, driving leads to thinking, thinking leads to pain, pain leads to depression and there were just so many what-if's in my head. What-if I didn't do my job correctly on any given day. Who WGAF? My client, I suppose, and then my boss when my client griped, then my wife when things fell apart. So, I did my job. Yet I also did it because I care about putting forth a solid effort each and every day.

I started thinking about the people who don't go above and beyond each day. I thought about the people at the hospital - there was a huge difference in the nurse's abilities to care for my brother. There was a nurse who worked so hard that she could have pulled off wearing a sign on her back that said best nurse ever. Then there were others who couldn't be bothered to even stop by every hour or so. Those are the one's who were targets of my anger as I drove.

We all have jobs to do in every given day. A lot of the jobs are not what we would like to be doing, but they need to get done, right? We need to be on to keep from upsetting the old apple cart.

I hate cleaning the dog crap out of the backyard, but if I didn't do it, the kids might play in it, so out it must go. I'm not a huge fan of laundry but every other day, doing it as a team with my wife, at least does the trick.

As I've said much of my drive time was centered on what-ifs. I believe that if all those who cared for Jeff would have done their jobs to the best of their abilities then he'd be rehabbing now. If if's and buts were candy and nuts.

Oh well, it's real early, I'm out of bed, and I'm ready for a very long day. I'll get it all done today and tomorrow will bring more challenges, but no matter what, I'll bring it all today - you never know who's counting on you to get it done right.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more