Teaching, Greeting, Driving, and Mothering...

          Gig is a unique book that lets everyday workers narrate about their everyday work lives. This particular reading took us into the lives of a Wal-Mart greeter, a UPS truck driver, a second grade teacher, and a mother. Four completely different people talk about four completely different lives.

          Mr. Jim Churchman is a Wal-Mart greeter. He is sixty-six years old but very passionate about his job. He views his job as important and appreciated. Although this man is an ex-educator with a doctorate, he views with all seriousness. He looks as his occupation as a calling. His calling to make people feel safe, appreciated, and happy. He lets the readers know his love of Wal-Mart and its employees. He talks about the support his coworkers have given him since his wife was diagnosed with cancer. He goes to work everyday with a smile cause it is so much more to him than just a job.

          William Rosario is truck driver for UPS. He makes opinion on UPS very clear and leaves no question to whether he views his occupation as a career or a calling. He compares UPS to the military and talks about how the lower level employees receive zero respect. He sometimes hates his job but admits he likes driving. He admits to stealing packages and being drunk on the job. Although his story is almost humorous, you have to feel sorry for the guy. He goes in every day to a career, not a calling, that he despises.

          Elise Klein was a woman whose career was put on hold because of pregnancy. She didn't know that her true calling was only nine months away. Many people don't understand that being a mother is a full-time job within itself. It requires wisdom, patience, and a good attitude. Elise talks about how her career as a freelance graphic designer was cut short because of the children. She soon realized that her children would mean more that a career ever could. She views her job as raising her children as a true calling. She strives to make the kids happy and to always make the best decisions for them. Although she works very hard and tires, she looks at her job in a mostly positive attitude. Yes, it might be long and tedious, but the long term reward of seeing her children grow up outweigh the price of staying home all day long.

          Katy Bracken is our final worker. She stumbled into a job that she never thought of for her, teaching. But she soon fell in love with it. Katy moved to the city to dance but took a job at a school and never quite got away from the classroom. She explains that she loves her job and it feels good even when there is a bad student. Although teaching can definitely be a career, I believe she sees her job as a calling. A calling to educate these children and try to instill in them principles that would one day make them better citizens.