I wanna a guy, just like the guy, who married dear old mum.

On this, the last day of our February habitude I would like to extend a little love to my dear old Dad.

John Mee started working at Peterbilt Motors when he was in his early 20’s. It was his first white collar job, and his second job after high school. His first post-high school job was as a quality inspector at a factory that made cans. He could do his job in about 15 minutes out of every hour. The rest of the day was just wasted away. This was back in the 60s when some living in the San Francisco bay area could work a blue collar job and buy their first home. My parents first mortgage payment was $220 a month! When my mom’s job went sour, they decided she would quit working and he would get a better job. Time to move up.

Peterbilt started John out as a junior draftsman. Over the years he produced good-quality work, and steadily improved both his skills and positions. When I was in my later years of elementary school, my dad went back to college, working full-time and attending classes on nights and weekends. Some of his course work could be waived by writing long papers showing he had equivalent “real-life experience.” In order to complete his degree more quickly he wrote a number of these on one of the early versions of a home computer, the screen glowing with green letters late into the night. I remember the paper he wrote to fulfill his ‘art’ requirement was a history of stained glass — a hobby he did in his ‘free’ time. It is a matter of great pride to me that my mother graduated from college the same day I graduated from Jr. High and my father graduated from college the same year I graduated from high school. (1987)

Over the years my father has worked at a number of jobs in three different states — but they have all been with Peterbilt Motors or its parent company, Paccar. Today, on his 62nd birthday, John Mee retired from the company he had worked for his entire professional life.

My Dad at his 40th Wedding Anniversary vow renewal party with my brother Johnny (the third).

So Dad, on this your big day, I send out all my love to you. Thank you for doing the job that clothed and fed me, that got me the black terrier-poodle mix when I was seven and taught me to ski when I was 12. For drawing truck parts, first by hand, then by a room full of computer towers, and then on a laptop until I got to see the Grand Canyon, Old Faithful, Disneyland and every Redwood and beach in California. Thank you for the projects that bought me my first car (a white VW bug) and the second one after my sister totaled the first (a virtual tank — a ‘57 Ford Fairlane. Safe-T!) Thank you for putting up with good bosses (Hi Virgil!) and hard bosses (who shall remain nameless) until you got me a Summer job in the filing room via your influence, and a college degree via your earnings. Thank you, Dad, for all your years of dedication and service. Some will say it was to Peterbilt, but I know it was really to us.

All of my love,

Rachelle

P.s. I know my Dad will see this because he reads my blog everyday! I love you Dad!

Posted in Magpie Girl
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