December 30, 2014

Slice of Life | Personnel Manager



Eaton's Building in Moncton
Sporting Goods
Marina Landers | far right

As a young lady, my mom started working at Eaton's which at one time was Canada's largest retail store. After working as an assistant in their personnel office, she was offered a full-time position as the Personnel Manager at Woolco. I started going to my grandparents' farm after school every day (wonderful memories) and sometimes I would visit Mom at work. Mom or the staff would find little jobs for me like the pinning of price tags on underwear.

Throughout the years, I was extremely proud that my mom was "Mrs. Landers". I could always tell that the employees thought a lot of her. Beyond hiring, scheduling and more, my mom was loving, kind and understanding. She worked hard and was excellent in her position. Sometime after Woolco became Walmart, she was asked to be the Personnel Supervisor for the region. After one trip away and a homesick call to Dad, she decided the traveling (and 25 cent raise) was not something she wanted. She wanted to be home.

Even after my parents had two vehicles, they would still travel to work together. Dad would drop Mom off and pick her up. One day I heard her say, "When I see Cedric, I still get butterflies in my stomach."  Words that I can still hear clearly and they remind me again and again of how much my parents love each other.

Working and taking care of us could not have been easy, but as a kid and teen, I didn't notice Mom being frazzled or tired. The other day Mom sent a reply to me by email: "Don't forget you are having a busy week. I remember working full time and pulling my hair out." I so get it now! Thank you, Mom! 




18 comments:

  1. I can still taste and feel the strange texture of Whoppers in my mouth from the movie theater (99 cents all the time!) that was just up the block from us.
    Kevin

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    1. Were they packaged in a container similar to a milk carton? :0)

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  2. Such beautiful memories of you mom! Your words brought me back to my own childhood when my mom worked at Sears. I would sometimes get to go to work with her (when we had a vacation day from school) and help around the store. I felt so grown up! Have a wonderful new year, Loralee!

    Jennifer
    Sweet Writing Life

    Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

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    1. Thank you for being here and for sharing your memories too! Happy New Year, Jennifer!

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  3. What a wonderful tribute to a very important person in your life! Moms are pretty great.

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    1. Funny you should say that, sweet was my one little word this year. :-)

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    2. Oh my goodness! How neat is that!

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  4. What a wonderful model of how to live and love. I love how you knew she was important at work yet you knew her heart was at home. A beautiful tribute.

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    1. Oh, Julieanne, thank you for writing this to me.

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  5. Wintergreen mints from the vending machine was the treat at my mom's office. Every time I smell wintergreen, I go back in time. Beautiful memories of you mother and a wonderful piece of advice.

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    1. I love how a song or smell can take us back in time...
      Thank you for sharing.

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  6. Your post brought back memories of me helping my mom in her classroom and visiting my dad when he worked at Sunshine Biscuit and Montgomery Ward. When he was in his 40s, he opened his own Western Auto, and I would hang out with him and help. Seeing your parents in their work lives can give you a whole new appreciation of them. Nice post!

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    1. Thanks, Holly!
      Thank you for sharing your memories!

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  7. So glad that your Mom captured that moment in time, Loralee.

    And I'm grateful that our paths have crossed so often this past year. I hope to get to know you more in the days to come.

    New year's blessings to you, to yours, friend ...

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging visits!
      Happy New Year!

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  8. I so loved reading this, and getting a glimpse into a bygone time - a 25 cent raise!~ Most of all, I loved learning about your mom - an amazing lady. Happy New Year, Loralee!

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    1. Oh, Tara, thank you. She is amazing ...and can get more done at 79 then I can!
      Happy New Year to you too!

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Thank you for being here.