Do you want to be a doctor, lawyer or Indian chief?
I remember when my children were small, I used to ask them this question and see how they responded to my question of a wished life’s goal. Then I would ask the same of my grandsons as they grew up. Of course, from their imaginary minds at that time in life it was always – fireman, policeman, cowboy, president, or some other imagined life.
Then reality hits.
They do grow up, so fast it seems, and they have to actually make this life decision for real. Our boys went to Ole Miss and Mississippi State and got degrees in music and fitness management, respectively. They now work as supervisors for our grocery businesses. Our girl got her degree in education, taught one year, and then became what she dreamed of – a stay-at-home mom. She has worked in our corporate office at some time or other through the years.
All the higher education might have schooled them in some of life’s lessons that help in their choice of vocation — not the one for which they studied, yet useful.
Now, here are our grandsons choosing their life’s work as they begin their adult lives.
The first to come aboard the “grocery train” was Wyatt, who is training to be a meat cutter. His first choice, a diesel mechanic.
Then there is John Marc, who like his dad has a degree in fitness management and is now a traveling assistant in all our stores.
Taylor, our oldest, has a degree that allows him to teach music, writing and literature even at a college level and he is now a grocery store manager.
Jacob, one of the triplets, has worked at two of our stores through the past few years. Jacob decided against college and went straight into the workforce.
All of these, sons and grandsons, have followed in their Pawpaw’s footsteps of carrying on the grocery store legacy no matter what the preferred education.
The other one who chose to follow the same man, but in a different occupation, is Sam. He also has waived college to go to work and has been learning to take over our cattle farm for the past two years. Then there is one, Cole, who is very determined to become an attorney at Ole Miss, and I applaud him for his tenacity.
College is a wonderful choice, but not for some. I feel as if they have to choose a major when they enter the higher education field, and sometimes our desires and hearts change through that learning period.
FRESH GARDEN GOULASH
4-5 fresh tomatoes, peeled and diced
1 cup of cut-up okra
1 cup of fresh corn
1 cup of fresh butter beans
1 Vidalia onion diced
¼ cup of green bell pepper diced
2 slices of bacon
Cut bacon into pieces and fry until done, then remove from skillet. Add onions and cook until tender. Then add all ingredients into the onions and simmer for about 30 minutes. Serve with crunchy cornbread.
