My sisters and I did the traditional babysitting jobs early on in life, some even for pay, but my first “real” job as a teenager was working at Safeway in Craig, where we lived during my high school years.

I think I applied at Safeway to be a “carry out” (sack and “carry out” people’s groceries) but had not heard back, and I also applied at the A&W in town. I got the A&W job first, but thank God the job at Safeway came through shortly afterwards, because the job at A&W was a nightmare. The owner or manager prided herself on being mean, and she was good at it. I was not a carhop. I worked inside, washing dishes and such. Every time I had to go to work my stomach knotted up inside me. It was that bad.

Thank goodness that was the shortest-lived job I’ve ever had. I was there a week before Safeway called.

I spent the rest of my high school years working for Safeway, up until our family moved to Lamar, which was the summer I graduated from high school.

I have some wonderful memories working for the grocery store and with the awesome people who served as cashiers, managers and everything in between. It was great experience for me, and it helped me earn money, which was also a good thing.

I never rose to anything beyond a “carry out” the entire time I was there, but I knew that wasn’t where my life career was going to be. I don’t remember all of the names of the cashiers I worked with, but Irene was one of my favorites. She was an older (at least I thought so at the time) lady who was always gracious. Inez was down to business, and Charla was a classy gal who always dolled up for work.

I kept in good shape in those days through my work, because my duties included sweeping, mopping and running the mammoth floor cleaner at night before the store closed. I also took out the trash, which is how I got a cute scar on my knee that I still have to this day. It reminds me of the value of a summer job for teenagers, and also how sharp the edge of an opened tin can, can be. A can cut through the garbage bag and right through my slacks (the only pair I successfully made in home ec) and into my knee. It was a pretty clean slice, as I recall, so no need for a tetanus shot or stitches or anything. It just left a scar, just as that summer and after school job left an impression on my life.

One of the duties I had not yet performed was to make coffee in the break room. We never drank coffee at home, and I had no idea how to make coffee. I lifted the lid on the pot and poured the coffee right into the water. Fortunately one of the nice cashiers was back there at the time and showed me the proper place to put the coffee. Although I cannot remember her name now, I remember her as one of my favorite people at Safeway. When she had to go to the hospital for surgery, I went to visit her and took her some perfume (in case she wasn’t able to get a proper bath while recovering.)

At least one of my classmates also landed a job at Safeway in the meat department and remained there, probably making a career of it. It was a good place to work, with many good people, both behind the counter and in the aisles. I’m sure I had my share of grumpy folks to deal with, but I don’t remember them now.

My memories are in a good place, with folks who were willing to help a kid get a good start in the world of work.