The Wisdom of the Ice Cream Driver
I’m mindful that last week’s entry wasn’t the cheeriest I’ve ever written. Here’s something a little lighter:
During the summers, my grandfather would take me on his frozen food and ice cream delivery route once a week.
These trips were a great treat for me. We’d be up at four in the morning packing his truck, and before five we’d be on our way.
Now, most of us know that driving a delivery truck isn’t the most romantic job in the world.
But every morning, my grandfather would drive over the storm king mountain toward west point, and he’d be singing at the top of his voice.
His big, clumsy truck would be jouncing all over the road—and in a loud, terrible voice he’d sing “Oh, Susanna,” or “Put Another Nickel in the Nickelodeon,” or “She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain.”
And my grandfather told me this: “Jim,” he said, “When you grow up, I don’t care if you’re a truck driver or a famous surgeon—just remember that when you go over the mountain to work in the morning, you’ve got to be singing.”
And, at least since I discovered books and eventually decided to become a writer, I do.
JP
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Old Storm King is a road I know very well as I traveled it for about 30 years working at none other place but West Point. What a road in the winter. You had a wonderful life it seems and should treasure those moments
Your Grandfather sounds like he was a lot of fun! He also gives fantastic advice.
Great advice....I love what your grand-dad said. Long ago I couldn't sing so I changed to humming. Many people hate what they are doing..makes for a long dreadful life..Life is to be enjoyed and have fun..life is too short. I know.
I lived in Iowa most of my life and for most of my life I have been a HUGE JP FAN! I recently moved to New York "Cornwall On Hudson and Cornwall but I now live in West Point and being a fan of JP I did not realize he was from Newburgh and was very happy to know that as I live close to where he grew up and I to use to deliver over the mountain as I worked for Frito Lay when I transfered from Iowa so I understand greatly the life your Grandfather lived as a delivery person. My mother was always singing, always humming while she lived and I picked up on that and catch myself doing those same3 things while others sit back and wonder why am I so happy. My mother "Alyce" was a great GREAT woman as I'm sure your Grandather was.
I cannot imagine life without reading and music in my life. My maternal Grandfather had an orchestra, and practiced daily in the house; along with spending time reading his English/Hungarian dictionary. He taught us all the importance of music (Mom was his pianist in the orchestra), and Mom taught us the importance of reading. I have memories of learning that you do not sit "slumped shoulders" at the piano by receiving a gentle swat of the violin bow across the back to sit up straight. To this day (many many decades later) I still sit properly. The thought of a bow swat still brings back fears! I learned from Grandpa that you can never practice enough or read too much!
Hello, of course I came to visit your site and thanks for letting me know about it.
I just read this post and wanted to say it is full of number one resources. Some I am familiar with. For those who don’t know these other sites they are in for a treat as there is a lot to learn there.
Sounds like your grandfather was a wise man!!
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