Matilda is her name. Selling high-quality wood furniture is her game. Well, sort of. I guess you could say she assists in the sales of the furniture, although I would argue toward the former.
The seven-year-old golden retriever has been living the dream with her forever people since she was a puppy. Every day, she enjoys a 30-minute car ride (every day!) with her people (Skip and Joyce) to their furniture business, where she spends her days napping in between greeting visitors to the store with bright eyes and a wagging tail. Apparently customers have been known to stop by just for some time with her. It sounds like a dream job to me. And, at least from what I heard mom telling dad earlier today, it has been a dream job for her (and her forever people) for the last seven years.
Longer than that for Skip and Joyce, who have owned and operated the business for the last 30 years. The time has come for them to retire, and do a very sad thing for them – say goodbye. To the business. But that’s not really what they’re going to miss. They’re going to miss the people. And the people are going to miss them. And Matilda, of course.
It all got me to think about this thing people say about doing what you love in life. I’ve always been a proponent of the idea that if you do what you love you will never work a day in your life. That was thrown into question for me today, thinking about the time these people spent working 12 (plus) hour days to run their business.
They rarely (if ever) took a day off since the store was open seven days a week. They never travelled together. And, while I know they wouldn’t change a thing about their experience, they worked. Hard. Their love for the place was stronger than the oak they sell, but that doesn’t mean it went without effort. On the contrary, it was because they loved it that they put in the passion it takes to keep a small family-owned business afloat these days.
“Commitment is an act, not a word,” suggested French philosopher Jean Paul Sarte.
Sometimes it is the act, the effort, that makes the whole thing worthwhile. Commitment. From the ground up, I imagine it to be something resembling the four-legged sense of loyalty (which is stronger than oak as well). Certainly dear Matilda knows a thing or two about that. As do her people.
Wiley's Wisdom 
It does sound like a dream job. Life changes and I am sure all 3 will have a nice retired life together, doing things and enjoying life, after all working 7 days a week they all desreve a good rest!
Sometimes it is not easy to make changes, but I’m sure Matilda, Skip and Joyce will spend a great time together and they can catch up on many things now.
I think the “if you love your job, you never work a day in your life” metaphor is very true!!
Good luck to Skip and Joyce and Matilda. I’m sure their customers and friends will miss them at work. But Mom knows a thing or two about retirement. She says, “I loved loved LOVED being a teacher. But not as much as I love being a retired teacher.”
Love and licks,
Cupcake
That is so sweet that Matilda goes to work with them every day. I would miss our dogs dearly if I ever had to get another job. I get to spend my time with our doggies every day and I never want that to change. They are happy being able to spend time with Mommy all day and go about the yard and help me.
I’m so glad for you, as well as the family doggies, that you have so much beloved time together! I keep hearing mom say this thing about how you can’t get these times back, and that is so true. Cherish every moment, for we never know what tomorrow may bring.
Lots of love,
Wiles
That is so true Wiley! Cherish each and every day!
🙂 🙂 🙂