Overshoes and Business

If I came home from school and saw black overshoes on the kitchen rug, I knew my dad was around somewhere. Maybe out in the back yard moving the sprinkler, in the garage tinkering with his 1955 black hardtop convertible Thunderbird, or, more likely, in his basement officer talking up a storm with one of his customers.

Dad worked as a salesman and wore the overshoes when we went to meet with customers at their homes. This way, he could enter their houses and remove his galoshes, but keep his clean shoes on. I didn't understand why he didn't just remove his brown wingtips and go in his stocking feet. Maybe he would have felt exposed, too intimate that way. Or maybe it was about maintaining his professionalism while showing respect for his customers. I'll never know for sure now.

When I was too little to remember, my dad owned and operated a service station with a friend. My only memory connected to his work at that time was the ribbing he got when he went to the shop sporting a cartoon character Band-Aid covering a cut on his finger. He moved on from car repair when I was still quite young, but his love of cars never dissipated.

He had a bread route for a while. On rare occasions we were allowed to ride along in the truck. I don't remember there being seats, much less seat belts, but I do remember the smell of fresh bread and bakery. And we almost always scored a mini lemon pie when the work was done.

Dad sold a variety of products during my childhood - insurance, milking equipment, water purifiers, and vitamins are what comes to mind. We "helped out" in his office once in a while. I remember doing a little filing, but mostly, goofing around with my sisters and cleaning out the candy dish.

I think what my dad liked most about his work, and life in general, was interacting with people. He always had a joke and a smile, and truly loved to help. Finding the right solution for someone's problem seemed to be his greatest reward. He and my mom did fine financially, but that never seemed to be the biggest reason for doing what they did. It was more about helping other people.

I too love helping people, and have had my own business for over 20 years. Times have changed since my dad wore overshoes to his home appointments, but his lessons of respect for others and the desire to help have not. These are lessons I will never forget. Thanks Dad.