Family-Like

Sunday, January 14, 2024

The department store is hiring me as a “flex,” a part-time and permanent position. The store hasn’t yet received a renewed budget for personnel, but even so, it wanted to keep me. The managers explain their hard work for an early approval of my new role. We’re all happy.

As a permanent hire, I’ll be in a position to apply for jobs in the store that become available. There’s not much employee turnover, but opportunities do arise. I had wished to sell shoes, and that role opened. Upon inquiring, I was warned that working in the shoe department is very hard, requiring many ups and downs on a ladder and handling huge, heavy boxes of new shoes for stocking. I remain interested in selling shoes despite warnings to avoid that role.

Shoe selling is in my DNA. Many early family members were shoe professionals. My affinity for shoes doesn’t stretch to climbing ladders and hefting heavy boxes. Another DNA area of affinity is jewelry; I could sell the stuff. Of course, the dress department has many lovely articles attracting me, too.

The common theme is personal: fantasies about shoes, jewelry, and dresses–the stuff of old Hollywood movies that informed my growing-up days. So was make-up, but selling that doesn’t interest this horseback rider with her often gritty face. Incidentally, I prefer to avoid selling fragrances for disliking them.

So guess what: I’ll sell whatever is needed because working in that store is more than dreaming and selling. Being there is about family. Simply put, this small city’s large department store is a family place. I’ve felt that and it makes me happy. Customers, too, are family-like, and it’s so interesting.

The header photo captures a couple of GWTs that belong to a customer. The other day, as I checked her out, we discussed our dogs. Soon after leaving, she returned and carrying the little bag with her purchase. She said the bag was too heavy and asked me to carry it out for her. After an instant of surprise, I understood she wanted me to meet her dogs.

The two are beautiful, well-trained hunters. The customer herself trained them and actively hunts with the two. She, on the left, is 14 years old, and he, on the right, is 1-1/2 years.

Dear Friends: Delightful moments crop up and create a yummy workplace. Diana