Jobs # 12 (Midpoint National)

In early 2016, I found myself single, unemployed, and in need of a few new gigs. I was stuck with grad school and was about a year out from graduation. I lived alone with my dog, Laika, who has been a constant companion for maybe fourteen years now—a beautiful Australian Shepard. “Loyal” doesn’t even begin to cover it.

I started re-gaining focus. I got a job at a Warehouse that distributed children’s books. I was still playing music and writing. I began to think about what I wanted for the future. This is around the time I started trying online dating, which was a complete disaster until I finally met my wife.

That took a while, though. I spent most nights alone, re-watching MST3K episodes or taking Laika for walks. I’d wake up every morning and run about four miles. I’d run down 55th street to Loose Park, do a lap, and head back. It was usually around 6 AM. I remember really liking this, for some reason.

Like all things in life, you have to allow yourself to adjust. After I worked out, I would drive down to a dingy warehouse in Wyandotte County. I’d spend 9:00 AM-3:00 PM sorting and shipping children’s books.

I met many interesting characters who worked there. There was Jerry, who never seemed to step off his forklift, zipping around with reckless abandon. I learned to stay out of his way. Virgil had a ZZ Top beard and owned two guns for every one of his failed marriages. Big Tim was as close to a friend as I had at this job. He reminded me of my big brother, David—a misunderstood type with a heart of gold.

There were more, too. Sharon in shipping made every morning a delight with her brilliant attitude and congeniality. Another guy claimed that his father was the original drummer for Kansas. The classic rock curse lingered.

Overall, I enjoyed this job. I’m pretty sure that the only reason I left was to focus on the other part-time job I was about to get. This one took place at a restaurant, and it ended horribly.

Now, I find myself reading many of the titles that I used to package up in boxes and send throughout the city to my own children before bedtime. I’m also a tutor for young children now, and my job very much revolves around reading children’s books to them. I’d say I average about 8-10 children's books a day, though many are repeat reads.

What I always liked about this time of my life was that I was regaining stability. I’d fallen, but I knew that I still had something to offer. I knew I still had a purpose, somehow. I wouldn’t find out what that purpose was for a few more years, but I’m glad I was strong enough to understand that it would happen someday.