30 years with John Deere

Thirty years ago tomorrow(I would wait and write this tomorrow but with a drive to Valdosta and a graduation party tomorrow night I am not seeing a blog entry on the agenda)my husband began working for Deere and Company. He actually started working for them before we got married as a technical writer(the person who writes those manuals that you get when you get a new piece of equipment-"place this screw in this whole and use a flat head screwdriver to tighten, making sure you turn to the right(righty tighty, lefty loosy,etc..." Anyway, you get the picture. Not many of you who read this blog will get to experience starting at the bottom and going to the top in your working career because now they have this thing called "fast tracking" that moves young people up the ladder before they have an opportunity to get the experience. However, back in the day you started at the bottom and worked hard to advance to the top. After a short time as a tech writer, Norman decided to go back to school to get his masters. Upon completion of grad school he returned to John Deere as a service representative, where he learned almost everything there was to know about a tractor-he was like a tractor doctor and believe me there were dealers calling him all the time, day or night, to get a diagnosis. After many years in service he moved into the sells part of the business where he got to know many hardworking REAL farmers. They, too, developed a respect for Norman and valued his advice. He was very successful in this area and after almost 25 years of being in the field, he moved into the Atlanta branch to a cubicle. Here he soon became the best negotiator in the business. Working day and night to merge dealers together to better serve not only John Deere but the dealers as well. Because he had built such a rapport with the dealers they trusted him and valued his opinion. He now has what many of you would call a "room with a view" however, you probably would not ever find him staring out the window. Instead he would be working on his computer, talking on his phone, working through emails or in a meeting resolving problems and such. All this hard work has not been for his vain glory but to provide for his family. Every dime he has made has gone (mostly without question) to provide for his family. He rarely ever buys anything for himself, he doesn't have expensive hobbies or play toys. He drives a 1994 Ford F150 with cloth seats and eats Blizzards from Dairy Queen. He is much like his father...a simple, humble, hard working man. This weekend the last two of his 4 children will graduate from college debt free. They have worked hard and had academic and athletic scholarships which off set the cost of college but their daddy has been the one that has provided the extras they needed or wanted along the way. Norman(just in case you read this blog, Ha Ha) I just want to say I am so proud of you and all your hard work and perseverance. I know I have fussed and fussed about all the hours and time you have spent working but I am truly blessed to have you as my husband and provider. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you, Mary Jo