"10" PART TWO

 

     

     So, to continue this story from last week's blog, I discovered that working at a new restaurant, especially the only Chick Fil-A on Long Island at the time was hard work and very tiring. I do have to admit that I really loved the people that I worked with. I had A LOT of fun! I only lived one mile from the restaurant in Port Jefferson, and I was also back doing ministry to children. I helped a local church on Friday evenings with their Awana Club. I not only taught a class, but I also got to share a devotional with a group of kids at the end of the evening which meant I could display my puppet characters and object lessons. It was a huge hit! 

     I worked the early morning shift 5 days a week and on Saturday I worked at 11 a.m. It took its toll on me, but I was happy to be working. The personal goal I set for myself was to be back in full-time ministry in 2 years. I did not, however take into consideration the fact that I needed to heal. I had many wounds from the bad experience I had in my dismissal at SGT. I did help a church in Holbrook for a season in 2017 but that was short lived. I did have several awkward encounters with people from SGT as they walked in to order food. They would see me behind the counter and either say hello or totally ignore me. I even had one person mock me which really hurt. I'm sure they thought it was funny, but I wasn't amused. It hurt! We had several trainers from across the country come in and train us. This continued for about a month. I was usually on register and sometimes in the dining room. After 6 months, I approached the leadership about moving up in the company. They saw in me leadership skills they liked, so I was promoted to a managerial position in April 2016. I would open the restaurant 6 days a week. I had a crew of 3 others, and I have to say they worked hard. I would always laugh how different they all were, yet we all got along. I was trained on leading the shift, counting register drawers and running breaks. I learned a lot. It was certainly not like working in a church office! In the outside world, nobody cares if you are a Pastor, Rabbi or Priest. I got to see the ugly side of our guests. In 10 years, I have been cursed at, I have had bags of food thrown at me, I had a guy challenge me to a fight and I had a Door Dasher write a bad review about me (which by the way I had no idea or no recollection of any incident ever happening). Besides all of that, I really enjoyed working at Chick Fil-A Port Jefferson. I made a lot of new friends, and I was always blessed whenever I was away for a week and came back, my fellow team members missed me! At one of our Christmas parties, I was named "Funniest Employee" simply because I used to put a picture of our Front of House Director Eileen (a dear friend) all over hidden spots around our front counter. We had fun and I will always cherish those memories!

     After being there 2 1/2 years there were changes being made in leadership and I knew in my heart of hearts I my days were numbered. I was even told "You are supposed to be a children's pastor, not managing a restaurant." I decided to get out while the going was somewhat good so I took a job managing a restaurant called "Cheeburger Cheeburger" in Farmingdale, NY. The owner of that restaurant was very "Hands off" and would rather have others put out his "fires" when situations got out of hand. I knew I needed a backup plan so since I passed another Chick Fil-A in Commack, NY on my way to Farmingdale, NY I decided to apply their part time. I was hired instantly. I was only at Cheeburger Cheeburger for 5 months until the restaurant closed (with no warning of it closing) and I began working at CFA Commack Full time in August 2018. I ended up working there 6 1/2 years. Although I never made it as a manager there, I did work my way up to becoming a Shift Captain. Since they knew I knew how to open the restaurant, I was asked to lead the beginning of the morning shift until the manager started his or her shift. I always knew I was not in their plans to be a manager. The Owner was very big on training his younger team members to lead. I was not the oldest employee, but I knew I had more life experience to offer this restaurant. I was happy encouraging the younger team members and seeing them flourish. My main focus as a CFA Commack employee was to work and get paid. I did not see a future there. I didn't always agree with how things were going or decisions being made. I just did my job...period! In my 6 1/2 years I endured the pandemic season, which was not easy, taking orders outside in the snow and being off 2 months while the restaurant went through renovations. I told the leadership of CFA Commack I would be leaving 6 months before I left. My last day there was November 27, 2024. It was hard to say goodbye, but I knew moving to South Carolina was the best decision for me as I plan to one day retire there. Don't get me wrong, I did have a lot of fun at CFA Commack, and I became very close to Fred and Tina along with many managers there including Dan, Jenn and Sean. Tasia, one of the managers always loved my dad jokes!

     On December 11, 2024, I walked into Chick Fil-A Harbison in Columbia, SC as a new employee. Although the menu has never changed, I had to get used to how things were run differently as well as the southern accents and slow talking people. It's a whole new world here! I have been with this restaurant for 10 months. I am not sure if I am in their plans to be a manager, but I just continue to work hard and do my best. My 61-year-old body feels it after every shift. I have to remind myself I'm 61 not 21! I have fun at this restaurant also as we always tell jokes and enjoy each other's company. I work the early morning shift here but what is different is some of my fellow team members are close to my age. I am not sure how any more years I will be working at Chick Fil-A. It has been quite the ride.

     So, here's to 10 years as a Chick Fil-A employee. 3 different restaurants in 2 states! Thank you for reading all about my journey. It's been an amazing ride! It's been MY PLEASURE!  

HAVE A GREAT DAY FRIENDS!!