Once, some many years ago, a young student, (let’s call him
Dave) was struggling to decide what he should become in life. He had always known that his father was a
great doctor and seemed very happy that he had become one. Both his mother and his aunt were
artists. His mother worked with paint
and canvas, while his aunt worked with her hands. She made wonderful creations, sculptures of
wood and marble that were certainly museum worthy.
He knew, of course, he could never become a doctor. The mere sight of blood made him queasy, not
to mention it seemed a great deal of schooling was required. The thought of sitting in a classroom for
years sounded dreadful. He also knew he
didn’t have the talent for art. It just
wasn’t in him.
His friends were headed in all sorts of directions. One was trying to get hired into the local
car dealership. His uncle worked there
and always appeared happy and was ready with a joke at the toot of a horn.
He knew one of his friend’s dad was a fireman. At one time he thought that being a fireman
would be exciting and full of adventure, yet every time they would walk past
the firehouse, all he would ever see were the firemen sitting in the break
room, watching soap operas. He couldn’t
see himself doing that for a lifetime.
Nothing seemed to interest him enough to pursue it. He was completely frustrated in trying to
come up with a life plan. Then one
Saturday afternoon, as he was walking back from Starbucks, he noticed a sign
nailed up on a phone pole. It said,
Work
at your own pace. Earn big bucks in an
exciting,
new career. Be your own boss. No
experience
necessary. Unlimited free time. Paid
vacations,
full benefit package from day one.
You can easily see how our young man, (we’re still calling
him Dave) became so excited in reading this.
So excited, in fact, that he wanted to act on it immediately. Where, however, was a name, or a phone number
and address? All that should have mattered on this
sign seemed to be missing.
What was the name of this company? How much would he be making? What would he be doing? Did it require schooling, or a license? Did it require he drive a car, make deliveries? He had an endless supply of questions and no answers.
Then, our hero, (you know who he is) reached up and pulled
the sign from the pole. He folded it up
and stuffed it into his pocket. At that
exact moment he heard a car door close.
He looked behind him and there at the curb was a strange looking man in
a tuxedo and top hat. He had a red
flower in his lapel.
Dave just stood there for a moment, worried he had done
something wrong, but then he said, “I was going to take it around and look for
it’s owner. There are a lot of
unanswered questions and this sign would work much better if it contained all
the needed information. Are you the
owner of this?” Dave pulled the sheet
from his pocket and held it out.
The well dressed stranger smiled, paused a moment and then
his expression seemed to become serious.
“I should explain. When I am
hiring, when I am searching for a potential candidate for the position, I only
post one flier. The paper you took down is
it. It is the only one. The reason is - I am looking for someone out of
the ordinary. I am hoping for that one
person who doesn’t simply scan the classifieds for some run-of-the-mill job. I am looking for that one in a million person
who is curious, who is hungry to build themselves a life and not simply drag themselves into a factory every day.”
Dave was now even more intrigued than just moments ago.
“What’s your name?”
“It’s David.” Came the reply.
“David, I like that.
David, I believe the moment you reached up and pulled down my sign you
were taking that step into the unknown.
You are brave, you’re curious and…
David, if you’ll trust me, I will show you the work I do and the life
you’ll have if you accept it. Do you
trust me Dave?”
Suddenly Dave didn’t feel so comfortable around this guy. So far, he hasn’t told me anything. Dave thought to himself.
“Trust you how?”
“If you have the time right now - I’ll show you.” And with that the stranger took a step back
and opened the back passenger’s door. “Let’s take a ride. It won’t take long and when we are done, if
you like, I will bring you back to this very spot.”
“All my senses are telling me not to.” Dave boldly announced.
“I completely understand. Replied the well-dressed stranger. But from your response to my inquiry about
removing my sign, I can tell you are a quick thinker. You have stood your ground and talked with
me. I mean, you haven’t backed up or ran
away, so I know you are not only curious but brave as well. What I am saying Dave, is I’m thinking you
have what it takes for this profession, otherwise I wouldn’t be offering you
this opportunity. Don’t get me wrong,
David. They aren’t all plusses in your column. You never have asked for MY name.”
******
Reluctantly Dave climbed into the car. The interior was plush, rich leather and
smelled of money. The well-dressed man
got in behind the wheel and as he started the car he looked back at David.
“My name is Parker, Dave.
Do you prefer Dave or David?”
Dave is fine.
Parker turned on the radio.
It was tuned to an easy listening station and Dave smiled, as he
suddenly felt like he was in an elevator.
“Is this Okay Dave?”
The music is fine, thanks.
Instead of paying attention to the fine interior of the car,
Dave should have been paying attention to where they were going. By the time Dave thought to look out at their
surroundings, they had arrived. The
long, expensive car had pulled into a driveway and under an overhang.
“We’re here Dave.”
Once out of the car Dave took his first look at the
building. He couldn’t believe it. It was Parker’s Funeral Home.
You’re Mr. Parker?
“Yes, Dave. I am the
town’s mortician and I’m hoping to find an apprentice to join my business. Can I show you around?”
Sure.
Dave followed Mr. Parker into the lobby of the funeral
home. The carpet felt thick and cushy
under his feet. The place smelled of flowers
and that same easy-listening music was playing in the background.
Parker stopped at the large mahogany reception desk and picked
up a pamphlet and handed it to Dave.
Kids never consider this profession when they are trying to decide what
to do with their lives, but it is an honorable profession and a needed service. Of course, you could make much more money as
a computer programmer, but is sitting at a desk all day what you want for your
future? Does working in a loud, dirty
factory really appeal to anyone?
Dave, I sell care.
When family members call me, they are looking for someone to step in and
take over. They’re looking for a gentle,
knowledgeable hand to guide them through the process. As you can see, I work in a clean and
comfortable environment. There are no
loud factory whistles telling you it is Okay to take a lunch break. This isn’t an endless row of programmers all
staring at a computer screen for eight hours a day.
What exactly would I be doing?
“The first thing I would do Dave is send you to classes at
the community college. There are very
specific courses you’ll need to take, and then a license you will have to apply
for from the State. I will pay for all
of that if you agree to work here for at least three years. After that time, if you decide this isn’t for
you, you’ll be free to go your own way.
But Dave, from what I’ve seen so far, I believe you are a good fit. Come-on, lets continue the tour.
Dave followed Mr. Parker down a long, carpeted hallway. They stopped at each room and Parker
explained things as they went.
The entire time Parker was talking, Dave kept wondering if
he was going to see any dead people.
There must be dead people, Dave thought to himself, this is where they
bring them.
As they entered the coffin showroom, Dave couldn’t help but
be dazzled by the look of everything. It
was like they were new cars, all polished, chrome gleaming from the bright
spotlights pointed at them. And all so
quiet. Dave noticed the background music
was not playing in this room, so he asked.
Why no music in here?
Excellent question Dave.
People in this room make important decisions. The things agreed upon in here involve money
and feelings and a seriousness that music would only interrupt, it would
distract from the process. Believe it or
not, this is the most somber room in the building. Even the crematory in back has music playing,
but we don’t take family members back there.
That wouldn’t be appropriate.
I notice you refer to them as family members and not
customers. Dave said.
It is important they view this as a process and not a
business, Dave. We are helping them to
process their loved ones. In fact, that
is one of the traits I noticed in you.
You were frustrated at the lack of information on the sign I posted on
the phone pole, but when I confronted you about tearing it down, you didn’t
want to hurt my feelings. You did a
little soft-shoe and talked your way out of the situation. I liked that. You noticed the lack of music in the display room. This isn't a job interview. That was back at the phone poll, so you can relax. I'm already sold on you Dave, but if this isn't right for you I will drive you back to where we met.
When do I need to decide by?
But before Parker had a chance to respond someone started banging frantically on the back door.
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