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I’ve worked with the same company for the last 16 years and I spend more time with my coworkers than I do with my family. I’ve had the privildege of working with the same special women, some who have been there more than twenty years. We are the Sirens of Specialty Optics. Any given moment you may hear a rendition of "You Are My Sunshine" with the distinctive harmony of Korea, Viet Nam,Cambodia and my own Yakama Nation, so it sounds more like...You a’e my shunshine!

We work side by side, sharing the trials and tribs of our job, our children and here lately, our grandchildren. I’ve watched their kids grow from Kindergarten to College. They cooed over my first grandson and attended my late-in-life second wedding. We are THE most experienced Assemblers for Leupold and Stevens rifescopes and binoculars. Our company is over a hundred years old and in an uncertain economy we are busier than ever.

We’re in the end zone now and looking at retirement here soon. My appreciation for my friends has become enhanced when I think that they will be leaving before me. They don’t look forward to leaving me behind either, promising to come visit for lunch. We take an hour lunch for birthdays and any celebration we can think of, and carpool over to Sweet Tomatoes. We are the sweet music of Leupolds.

We’re passing on our knowledge to those following behind us. It’s not like we know it all and never make mistakes. We’re passing on the knowledge that you do your best, giggle about the mistakes, and sing another verse of "Sunshine" to move forward. Ofcourse the younger lades have their own song to sing. It’s loud and full of rhythm, and we like it too. I love this time of life. I’ve not made a mark in the larger scheme of things but I have made true friends and I’ve been able to love my neighbor without reserve.

If you can learn to love your neighbor as yourself, it makes for good memories and smoothes the rough edges when times get tough.