Some people can’t wait to retire and spend the rest of their lives enjoying the beautiful things that surround them instead of being stuck at the office or other places of work long hours. There are also those, however, who are so passionate about their job that they simply can’t imagine walking away of it. One such person is Mr. Harold from this story.
Namely, Harold used to work as a crane operator and he loved his job very much. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, he ended up in a wheelchair and was forced to quit.
Now, Harold lives in a nursing home.
Another crane operator, a young man by the name Shawn Beveridge of Ohio, loves what he does as well. While on the job, Shawn noticed this elderly gentleman in a wheelchair getting outside the nursing home and watching how the cranes operate for hours. At first, Shawn was confused. He wondered why someone would look at those cranes all day and couldn’t come up with a logical reason. What was very interesting was that the elderly man would take lunch brakes at the same time the workers would, and it made things even more confusing for Shawn.
“Since day one when I arrived on this job site I’ve noticed him sitting there every morning from 7 a.m., he takes lunch when we do and doesn’t leave until I shut the crane down and head out,” Shawn wrote in a Facebook post. “I originally had thought to myself, ‘He’s just a curious old man and wanting to enjoy his days outside vs being cooped up in his room.’ Well after a couple days, I myself got curious, so I walked over and introduced myself to him.”
Eventually, Shawn decided to approach the man one day and try to find answers to his questions. The man said his name was Harold and explained how he was a crane operator himself in the past.
It turned out that Harold suffered from clogged heart valves among the rest.
“He said he enjoys seeing what he use to love to do for a living and never thought he’d ever be able to see or be around a crane again. Let alone be so close to see one in action,” Shawn added.
Harold also told Shawn that his children, two daughters and a son, haven’t visited him in the last seven years, not once.
That broke Shawn’s heart so he decided to make a deal with Harold. He told the elderly man that he would come to him every day after his shift is over and he would bring him lunch of his choice twice a week. In exchange, Harold would teach him more about the job.
“He didn’t skip a beat before ABSOLUTELY! came out of his mouth. I guess I’m writing this post because if I would have never walked over to him Iwould have never gotten to know him. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to make this man’s last days enjoyable. Filled with purpose and to be able to help him smile again,” Shawn wrote.
Shawn’s post of the encounter with Harold touched many hearts. It vent viral in a very short time and people praised him for his kindness towards Harold.
The young man used that as a chance to encourage others to help people in need whenever they can.
“I challenge any of you on here to not be like I was in the beginning and don’t be afraid to make someone else’s day better. Always try to enlighten someone’s spirits. When God chooses to take this man home I’m happy knowing that I’ve been placed here at this location to make his days better. I’m happy with that.”
Thank you, Shawn. We should all learn from you. You are an awesome young man.