My youngest son and I were heading home from some time spent fishing at my “place away from places.” The current good times are fed by memories of similar times in the past, when he and his brothers were kids, and times when I had similar experiences as a kid with my dad.
The day catching fish and battling cold created an appetite that he had to address with a stop at the nearby Raising Cane’s chicken eatery. It was at the pickup window that I was reminded of having aspirations.
I pulled up to the window, and my son handed me his credit card to pay for his pre-supper meal. I passed the metal card to the young man behind the open window. He said, “I don’t see many of these cards.” I smiled, gestured to my son and laughed, “It’s his, not mine!” The clerk replied with a simple comment that was made more poignant by his facial expression. He said, “Someday maybe I can have one of these, too.” His countenance appeared to be a blend of sad awareness of his current role and a sense of hope for what the future could hold. It made me wonder how long the moment would remain in his memory. I hoped that he also saw value in the job he had; all honest work is good work.
My son travels a lot for his job, so it makes sense for him to have the type of card that impressed the young man who took food orders from people. I imagine the young man aspired for what he thought the card stood for, a particular level of success. I had brief flashbacks from when I worked for Handy Andy grocery stores. There were times when I would encounter customers at the register or the courtesy booth and think of someday having some of the things they had that I equated with success. It did not take too many years for me to realize that the “signs” of success were not necessarily signs of happiness or joy. The definition of “success” changed over time and continues as life brings wisdom.
Aspirations, dreams and goals are good. Sometimes the things we see as signs of success in someone else are simply necessary tools for the completion of their work. Focus on the right, the good and the beautiful things in life. Re-define success. Appreciate the nobility of all work. I hope the young man at the window continues to aspire to success, but also sees the importance and value of work, no matter the role.
