More often than not, our grandparents are retired by the time we start part-time jobs in high school. For me, I worked at the Shelbyville Boys and Girls Club as the Junior Office Manager. I sat in the office and took phone calls, paged students, and handled desk tasks. I loved my boss, I loved my co-workers, and I loved the kids. Yet, the best part was still to come. My papaw, who’d been retired for several years, worked there too. He was in the kitchen and served snacks to the kids as they came in.
Every day after I logged all the kids that came into the club, I would walk back to the kitchen to see him. He always had a smile on his face and greeted me with a plate of that day’s snack and a carton of apple juice. We would talk for about 10 minutes about life, how my day at school was, and how IU basketball was doing this season. Once my shift was over, I would help Papaw clean up in the back and we would walk out to my car together. He would give me a hug and tell me he loved me and that he’ll see me at the same time tomorrow. He would hop in his truck and we would do it all over again the next day.
I never thought I would get to work with my Papaw, but it has been absolutely incredible. I love being around my Papaw at home watching the Colts or basketball, but being able to spend every evening at the Boys and Girls Club with him was a dream come true. What I’ve come to realize is that it’s those small moments that seem to be the most memorable to me. Walking into the kitchen to get a donut from Papaw was something I looked forward to every day and never failed to put a smile on my face. Once we start to appreciate those small things that make us happy, we’re bound to start living happier and more appreciative.
Appreciating the small things in life,
Julia Hamblen
2020-2021 Indiana FFA State President
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