Happy Retirement Dad!

My dad gave me my first real job when I was about 16. He was the manager of our local grocery store and I decided I wanted to be a bagger (you know, that dude that bags your groceries and then is supposed to carry them to your car). And I was excited by the prospect of working and making money. Those few years I worked at the grocery store my job responsibilities changed as I worked longer. I worked in produce, as a cashier, bagger, stocker, basically a little bit of everything. I had one of the best times of my life. You can't imagine having so much fun ringing up groceries (I know sounds fun) as when you do and your dad is there. We'd take breaks together and he'd buy me a Mountain Dew and some peanut butter cheese crackers (I still eat that for breakfast and think of him every time I do). I have never been more appreciated as an employee than when I worked for him. He taught me so much as a teenager that I will always carry with me. One of my favorite job interview quotes is "my dad taught me to have a good work ethic" and it's so true. He taught me you don't call in because you "don't feel well," you don't pass the buck when something is your job, you help out your fellow co-worker, to always go the extra mile at work and always try to do a good job. I probably learned most of this because I wanted to impress my dad, because I was so impressed by him. He worked so hard his whole life to support us. He worked harder than anyone I knew and I wasn't about to work any less hard than him. These lessons are the reason I have the job I do now, the reason I've gotten so far. I get excellent reviews every year at work and I know for a fact that this is because my dad taught me how to be a good worker. I thank him every time I go in for an evaluation because I know he's the reason they always go so well. I always loved working with him and I know I never told him that enough. So, thank you daddy. Thanks for working hard to help me buy flag uniforms, go on school trips, buy gas money to drive your car, help pay for my college and the countless other things you helped me pay for. Thanks for showing me with your example how to work hard and be a caring and compassionate person. For being the best boss I've ever had and the hardest work I know. I love you so much and I'm so glad that after all this time you can take a break. And hopefully I can repay you for some of the gifts you've given me. Thank you for working hard and thank you even more for retiring. I cannot wait to see what we can do now that you are work free!