I wanted to make money when I was a kid. I am the youngest of seven children, and my brothers and sisters before me all had jobs. So I approached my parents one day and asked if I could get a job. Anything. Cutting grass. Raking leaves. Or hey. What about a paper route?
They agreed somewhat. I could substitute as a paper carrier for my sister or brother if they need a stand-in. Or for any other kid at the local branch. Mrs. Ballard was the branch manager down on Knecht Drive. The paper business operated out of the Ballard garage.
I remember my first time out. I went along with my sister to learn her route. It seemed tough at first, but I soon got the hang of things. I figured if Julie could do it, so could I, despite the fact she was four years older than I. I felt a great deal of responsibility for carrying those papers to the good people of our neighborhood.
I didn’t mind the work, especially when my first bit of money came in. It would mount up pretty quickly in my eight-year-old brain. I didn’t squander those profits either. I’d spend a small amount on candy. But with the rest, I asked my dad if I could open a bank account.
We went to Citizens Federal in the Northwest Plaza the next day, and I opened my first savings account. The teller gave me a red sucker – my choice – when all was said and done.
I’ve been a customer with them ever since that day. They are known by another bank name, these days. And wouldn’t you know? I can still get a red sucker anytime I visit the bank. But I haven’t had one since I was a kid.
But that is neither here nor there.
What I was thinking about our kids today. We were taught the value of money and the value of working hard when we were young. I don’t see that happening much with the youth of today. I wonder where this will lead in all our tomorrows.
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“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier
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“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe
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“Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.” — Conan O’Brien
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