I can't share all the details, but he took about an hour out of his day, on his day off. That's a good friend.
We got up early and went to the warehouse. We got some drinks (they didn't have Sprite, which we need!), and some snack items. We went to work.
I found out I couldn't get in the stockroom so I had to borrow the other guys' cart, which doesn't go out the door. You can imagine the fun I had lugging all the stuff up the wheelchair ramp and putting it in the cart.
Then Ron told me, "I need to go to the bathroom RIGHT NOW." I left the cart in the hall and got Ron to the bathroom. When I came back someone was about to push it somewhere; I took it over and got my stuff put up, then came back for Ron.
We had a turnaround trip to go to the warehouse, so we did that, got some more snack items, and came back. I stocked. Ron stocked what he could (a lot of the shelves and such are at a lower level and very workable for Ron). I did what he couldn't.
I added some new things, Jalapeno Kettle chips (I have a hot and spicy customer base), Detour bars (very good!), Famous Amos cookies, etc.
"I feel OK having tomorrow off" I told Ron "Because they look good - all the machines look good". They do.
We got our stockroom key and I put my leftovers on my shelving. Wow. It's been a while since I could do that.. We really need to bring the second wheelchair home, though. It causes problems.
I interacted with some of the younger customers. I'm glad they feel like they can ask me questions, make suggestions, get change, etc. I want them to
Ron teases me, but I am passionate about customer service. I want to serve them and provide them with a fantastic range of products and prices. I want everyone to walk away delighted.
The job has downsides, a lot of physical labor, brutal hours, disgusting cleanup (coffee machine, and microwaves), and some people who just aren't happy, no matter what I do. But, overall, I think we and our business are well liked.
I'm glad I don't work for the CPA in "richytown". I had a lovely burgundy leather chair (probably cost $1000), and a cherrywood desk, in Bellaire. That's probably the premium zip code in Houston. But you know what? I hated it.
I can't talk about my job due to fidicuary rules - I have a committment to keep secrets, basically, but I found it tedious work. I didn't go home feeling like I'd done a good day's work. I worked pretty hard at that, but I didn't enjoy it or find it satisfying.
Same with the other office jobs, generally speaking it felt more like pointless busywork and paper-pushing. Some of my bosses were petty tyrants.
Ron has always been appreciative of my work ethic. Even at his worst he'd have told you I was a hard worker.
I am, and Ron gives me a lot of leeway. I enjoy it. I enjoy watching someone pull money out of their pocket and buy a selection. I like watching them walk away, eating it. Even better, I love to watch them walk over to another machine and make another purchase!
I always, always, thank them if I "catch" someone making a purchase. I mean it. Without them, I'm in the gutter. They don't have to give me their money; but they do.
Thank you!
I wanted to do something nice for the man who had done so much for us, on his day off to boot. So I took his dumpster out to the garbage compactor. It's about half a mile one way. He's more of an "Acts of Service" love language. I left a voicemail on his home phone "I took out your garbage! Or someone stole it! You decide! Thanks again for your help!"
We rode with 2 drivers, training new drivers. I found that interesting. Ron's wheelchair got secured properly and that's what mattered. I was so happy to get home.
Ron's cat met me and laid down on her back, showing a beautiful spotted tummy. I gave her a good tummy rub for a few minutes as she purred and rolled around, thanking me for bringing Daddy home.
Then I took Ron in the front door. If he's going to stay in this chair we need to get a ramp. That's a big bump!
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