The Cozy Corner by Steve Nauman

When I started school at five years old, I soon noticed a man working constantly inside and outside of the school building. This man looked like he really liked his job, and I could even tell that he was very good at everything he did! Although I didn’t know who this man was, I figured he must be very important. I even thought this must be his school building that we were all using, because he’s the one who fixes everything, keeps the place clean and he must have at least 100 keys on his belt…..Yes…..he was the custodian! But at the age of five, I didn’t know what that word meant. I simply thought it was a title for the most important person in the school…..after all, he was the only one who seemed to be taking care of the place!

I really enjoyed watching Mr. Olds work, because he really enjoyed his work! And it didn’t take long to learn the custodian’s name because he was always being called on to fix something. I remember one time we were told to put our coats on because the boiler had broken down and the classrooms were getting cold. But our teacher said, “it will be warm soon because Mr. Olds is fixing it!” Whether it was a movie projector, a film strip projector, a record player, a window that wouldn’t open-or close, the answer was always “get Mr. Olds”.

He kept the outside of the school-the lawn, the playgrounds, the ball fields and the shrubbery all neatly trimmed and mowed. He even painted trim on the building and did woodworking projects at various times around the school…..and he always seemed to be happy while he was working!

As I reflect on “hard working Mr. Olds” I also think about I Thessalonians 4:11-12 “Make it your goal to live a quiet life minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live and you will not need to depend on others.”

It’s been 60 years since I first saw him working, but I still remember Mr. Olds because…..I noticed his work!

Till Next Time…..