Golden anniversary celebration of professional employment was scheduled for December 26, 2022.
Original plans have been changed, but it’s still a memorable day in personal history.
After graduating from college 50 years ago, job applications were sent several places. Reponses were received with school teaching offers and tentative work for a purebred beef organization. Application to a farm newspaper received a call from the owner requesting an interview.
It was a freezing December morning when the recent graduate with wife and baby remaining in the car was interviewed.
Naivety and low-level applicant knowledge were quite apparent with the newspaper owner-interviewer readily noticing the other family members shivering outside.
Somehow, someway, maybe feeling sorry for kids, the grocery carryout boy-wannabe cowboy was hired to be a professional newspaperman.
It was really a perfect job, meeting people, writing stories, while continuing to develop personal ranching and horse business. Although documented as the “first real job,” working had been just about all that was ever known.
Growing up with parents as grocery store operators, working in every phase of that business was expected and rewarded.
Yet, working for family didn’t seem like a “real job,” compared to employment for somebody else. Not a single regret for the hardworking upbringing with the fondest memories of those “good ole days.”
Newspaper job changed positively through decades as ranching expanded with growth in horse training, sales, and judging.
Then after 36½ years, “You’re fired” came the very surprising announcement from youngblood management behind closed doors.
Right or wrong, the truly dedicated farm newspaperman shook hands with terminator, went home, and rode a horse.
Four days later, taking a horseback riding break enjoying a glass of iced tea, telephone rang: “Come work for us.” The long-listened-to radio station knew the newspaperman-cowboy and wanted him to work there.
Initially hesitant to accept the hard-to-believe offer, radio salesman soon became “the job,” with extensive cowboy work continuing. Providing incomprehensible benefits for a cowboy, that job lasted 12½ years until, “You’re Fired.”
Again, no stomps, shouts, just went home for a horseback ride. Within hours, two “job” opportunities were accepted, daily radio show, and sale barn rider, with cowboy life and writing expansion.
It is a happy anniversary as “God’s Plan” continues.
Reminded of Jeremiah 29:14: “God has a purpose and plan for you.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XVI–52–12-25-2022
CUTLINE
Headed for another year with new jobs.
