To All My "Seasonal" Friends and the Ones I Have Yet To Meet

Friends come and go. I know that that is true. But, as we all know, there are those who stay in our hearts and minds for all of our time on this planet. This week I got to enjoy the company of some of my friends from school and from one of my previous employers, and I'm so glad about the fact that even though the classes have ended and I don't work there anymore, the relationships remain. My husband would probably say that most of these people are acquaintances instead of friends, but I know that there are those who touch a part of me that has made my life richer from having known them.

Now granted I have mostly worked full-time, year round jobs at seasonal employers, but I still have friends, acquaintances, whatever, from my first year as a seasonal driver/guide. What is even better than that is that these people have now moved up, and over, and are now some of the people near the top of the food chain in the organizations where I worked. There must be something about that spirit of hanging in there together, getting the job done, taking care of that guest, staying late because somebody had to count those tickets, well, all of it, that bonds people together for that common goal of having a successful season.

Maybe it's the shared belief that what you do in a seasonal environment will affect so many people. Seasonal employers serve thousands of folks every year and it doesn't matter what job you do, there is always a trickle back to the ultimate guest. Every job, every person, is important to making the wheels spin and meeting that goal.

For those embarking on a seasonal career, i.e. getting that summer job, I know that place is an important attractor. I know that the company's reputation is too. Pay definitely plays a part. But, I bet that when all is said and done, the things that you will remember most about your summer job(s) are the friends you will meet and keep for years to come.

So, to my friends and acquaintances, consider this a mini dedication to our time together. Thanks for making my seasonal jobs and my time in this world so great. May the preparation for another "year" remind you of all of the good times and all of the good people you've met along the way.