a couple weeks ago i flew down to fort lauderdale for a client visit. i was so excited just to get down there and have some sunshine, i didn't care that much that i had to work on a sunday. the first day i was there, it was pouring. i mean BUCKETS of rain. nothing puts you in a bad mood like starting off your day without an umbrella, in the pouring rain. soaked shoes, wet hair, smeared makeup. gross.
my day started off bad, but man did it start looking up. at about 8am, i started making my rounds through the lab. this is where i found my upper. he was quickly running through the microbiology department, on a mission to get some things done. his smile couldn't have been any bigger when he said hello to me. harold was an older gentleman, with great wits about him. he was very kind and eager to be there. he quickly asked how i was doing that day and continued on doing his daily activities. as i continued my shift, i noticed a cutout of a
newspaper article in the breakroom. it was a story about a man in his 90s, that has found a new love of science. he's been volunteering at the florida medical center for the past 9 years. here's the kicker, he'll be 100 years young this summer. i was amazed!! it was harold. that sweet man from the micro lab. i couldn't wait to find him again to talk to him about, well...everything!
the next day, even earlier that the last, i saw harold again in the breakroom. i didn't know where to start. there were so many questions i wanted to ask him about his life. my first question was, why?? why are you still volunteering at the ripe age of 99 years old. he told me he lives in a retirement community, and when he walks by the pool where others are playing cards he's just disgusted. he tells them "you all should be working!" talk about some work ethic! i know i'm not doing him justice, but this man is NINTY NINE years old. he DRIVES himself to work EVERYDAY. he lives 25 miles away. he makes his own lunch - which by the way, he offered to share his pudding with me. heartbreaker. he's a real testimate to the words hard working. this is all volunteer. he doesn't get paid.
some other fun facts about harold:
- he graduated college. that's right, he went to college and graduated!! how many of you can say that about your grandparents? great grandparents?
- his hometown is where Welch's grape juice is founded.
- he loves a woman in heels. probably my favorite fact about him.
- he's traveled all over the world, and he still has aspirations about going to Asia and other US states that he hasn't laid a footprint.
he's a real inspiration to everyone. his positivity and enthusiasm for life has really made a lasting impression on me. i hope he has for you as well!
