Yep—I bet you didn’t know that I have a famous connection. Well, kind of sort of. On the Today Show this morning they highlighted Matt’s first job as a newspaper deliverer. Guess what? That was MY first job too! And a pretty fun one when I think back on it! I delivered The Sandusky Register when I was in grade school at North Fairfield. I am not really sure what years I did it but I lived there from 3rd grade through 7th grade so that gives you an idea. I loved it. My brothers (and maybe my sister—I am a little fuzzy on whether she delivered too but I am sure she will let me know!) delivered papers and it was a great way to learn some life skills and of course—-get a little spending money. I am pretty sure most of my spending money went on junk food or some frivolous things that I “thought” that I needed. I am sure that none of it lasted.
My memories of the paper route in this small town included the daily stop at the public library—a teeny tiny little place with basically two rooms and a sweet librarian by the name of Mrs. Chandler who took an awkward little girl under her wing and spoiled her rotten. I loved stopping there every day. It helped fuel my reading appetite. I have a love of books today mainly due to Mrs. Chandler though my parents got me off on the right foot—she just helped it along. She liked to read “hysterical novels” as she called them and she was always telling me about the latest books she was reading and picked out ones for me that I might like. And then there was “the drawer”. Oh…the infamous bottom left drawer on her desk where she kept treats just for me. I know my mom was not thrilled with that part of my library visit but oh did Mrs. Chandler spoil me…..whether it was a bag of chips or a candy bar –Mrs. Chandler had it for me. And to this day I can still hear her saying “Honey, take that home with you or it will go bad.” I can also attribute my love of junk food to Mrs. Chandler, I guess!!!
But back to the paper route—I don’t remember any snarling dogs (except for my friend Sherri’s chihuahua named Peaches) or mean people but I do remember walking and walking and walking every day. A lot of walking. And perhaps my most vivid memory was weather related. One day when I was delivering a storm came up really fast complete with hail. I had on a dress and just remember that hail hitting my bare legs time and time again…I hung out on a porch for awhile till it stopped but I was pretty drenched and pock marked by then!! I think my mom or dad came driving to find us kids but that part is pretty much a blur—I just remember the pain of the hail!!!
Matt commented that it is a different world today with papers being delivered mainly in the early hours by adults in cars and he is right. I don’t know that I would want my kids going door to door these days—-even though you hope your neighborhood is safe there are still a lot of creeps out there. But I for one am very glad that I had the opportunity to be be a papergirl! It helped me in more ways than I probably know!
What was YOUR first job? Would love to hear!
allDAY – TODAY’s First Jobs: Matt Lauer goes back to his ‘route’.
