Walgreens, Thank you.

Walgreens impressed in me a growing attitude of appreciation for people—coworkers, customers, and friends.  They’re all people, unique with sometimes delicious surprises for conversation. – Rachel Marocco.

When I began work at Walgreens in Minneapolis in 1999, I encountered many people different in backgrounds, nationalities, languages, and races.  At first, I was scared stiff of all of them.  It was even hard to concentrate at the register.  But as I continued working, the first thing that struck me is the empathy of my customers.  There were many awkward encounters and customers who were rough with me partly because I messed up sometimes but some of them really expected a lot and took it for granted that I would give it to them—for instance it was there that I learned to always get the coupon out for the customer—people appreciated it, but if I forgot a few took offense.  However when such things happened most other customers would say the most wonderful things to make me feel better.

Needless to say I only continued to improve on the job when I moved to the Walgreens in Eagle Rock, CA.  It was there that I found inner strength to deal when customers were displeased at first—and it even seemed I could pull them over to see the good.  Some of those people became my regular customers, my friends. 

Then when I moved to the Grapevine Walgreens, I pushed myself hard to get better at all the skills an associate could possibly do, and I am still working on those skills there.  I was thrilled to learn of the program that puts me in the employee of the month position when customers give me a nine for service.   Its great that there’s a way for me to be rewarded for the friendliness and help I already love to give customers just because they are people too, and deserve it. 

I also like the new Loyalty Rewards Card Walgreens is doing partly because now when people scan their card I can learn their name, and if they do come more regularly, my hope would be that I could remember and call them by name, for they are people in my neighborhood.  That, and the great deals that I and my customers can get--especially the extra dollars off=free stuff!  I love the way Walgreens is rewarding their regular customers with these extra bonuses.

Now I am thinking of fun ways I can become a better contributor to Walgreens.  One person complained to me once about the new CEO in charge of Walgreens; and as I mulled it over, I had the thought—well he is competitive, diplomatic, and shrewd, and looks like he’s a risk taker too.  Sounds like someone who may very well be good for the company.  Plus as I see the new things coming out of Walgreens for employees, such as the Life and Work Counseling department to help employees with issues ranging from financial to more personal items included in the life and work balance; I’d say Walgreens is already cutting edge, so I am proud to be a part of it.

Walgreens part one, Thank you Minneapolis!

Thank you Walgreens 

Reminder to Minneapolis, your names are all pseudonymns!  Thanks.  You know who you are.

Just a quick summary should wrap it up: a song will do.  I sing this to the tune of "Thank you for giving to the Lord" Check google for the tune to the chorus and maybe you can hear it.  "Th--a--nk  you for being who you are.  I am a life that was saved.  Th--a--nk you for being who you are.  I am so glad you gave."  Now change the tune to "Mary had a little lamb."  "You g-a-ve of your time each  day, smiled each day, talked each day.  You showed your care in your own way 'til I found out I was cool.  Mr. Landing, thank you for all your concern for me.  Amanda, Tianna, Russel, Rosanne, Loren, Scar, Saint (St).  Kristin and Josh thank you for your cheerful outlooks, smiles, and  paying attention to me.  This next verse is also for you especially.  "You taught me how to laugh and play, laugh and play, laugh and play.  You taught me how to laugh and play, while working it was cool!  Thanks especially to Julie .J.  You all Rock!!!! 

The cripple at the pool

He sits waiting. Leaning on his arms, he watches the water. He knows it will stir soon. It always does about now. Not that it makes much difference. Still, he sighs, its a nice game to keep his thoughts at rest. He's not the only one focusing on the water. Yet, he feels that really he is the only one there. He likes it this way. All is still and peaceful, yet full of energy as all are tuning in to the pool of water. Soon, he knows, the moment will again be gone. For afterward, life will return to normal and the gathering crowd will disperse trying to avoid the beggars.

Maybe this time ... he scans the patio with flickering eyes, glancing at the people present just enough to see their readiness. O yes, this time he knows who will win. For Zachary has a friend today. He does not remember seeing this friend of Zachary's until now. Maybe he usually dozes when the guy comes around. There he is now pulling Zachary close to the water's edge, even laying a hand on him as if to give him a push! However, if Zachary is going to get what he wants, he will have to shove himself into the water. If he doesn't, the water has no effect.

No, today will be like any other day. Someone else will win. As usual. For he is at least two feet away. He is making progress though. Last week he was four feet away, and the week before that he was sleeping when it happened. Yet, someone else will always be ahead no matter how far he goes. For, unlike Zachary, he has no friends to carry him to the water's edge. No, his only friends are people like him. Cripples.

He glances at his buddy Josiah and sees his arms extended to the pool with his hands gripping the ledge, ready to push off at any moment. Good for him. Yet, he knows it is Zachary who will win. Any one who has someone to help them always wins. Unless that friend does too much for their disabled buddy. People have learned the hard way that they must take the last step on their own. Otherwise their friend has to rescue them from the waters, lest they drown.

He feels the tension in the air. Quickly he focuses on the water as he hears the faintest whisper. There is no breeze. For a split second, everyone just keeps staring. Suddenly Zachary is in the water shouting hallelujah and rescuing Josiah at the same time. Poor Josiah. Through out the patio, a collective sigh comes forth as the cripples turn to the crowd to beg.

Well, that's that. He is about to beg when a young man out of the crowd walks right up to him. Thinking that he will give him money, he holds out his hand. Instead, the young man says, "Look at me." "Do you want to get well?" Of course he does, he nods.
"Look at me and see.  See the light that has so long alluded you.  Look I am here.  My hand is reaching out to you.  But now you must take it, for now it is your moment, your time to rise up.  Rise and shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." 

He takes it, and is strengthened.  He stands, walks, jumps, runs.  He shouts.  Glory halelujah the Lord has healed me in and out!

Growing up at Walgreens, part one

Introduction: All day to write for 3 minutes to read!

The first thing you should know about me is that I appreciate you.  I have created this blog to be read by you and I appreciate your time.  If I know you, you may be mentioned here or in subsequent blogs under a pseudoname.  Comment if you want me to put your real name in.  Only in positive and appreciative ways, if I write your whole name.  Let me know if you do or do not want me to use your whole name in this or future blogs.  Also if I ever have anything negative to say, I will not use your real name and I will only do it with a very good reason.  I have tried to make it as easy as possible for you to read this in your spare moments.  You are important to me, and I hope you will enjoy my stories here.  The number listed on each heading is the amount of minutes it will take you to read it.  The items highlighted in yellow is where I am waiting for someone to give me clarification--if you know the answer, please comment.  Items you might find funny are written in red. 

Minneapolis, Minnesota(1)

So many changes here.  Where to begin....  First things first. 

 Why Walgreens? (1)

Well I never thought of myself working retail.  I had already tried it once at Paper Depot ( a cool arts store full of paper, stamps, and tons of other crafty stuff--they even have workshops for doing crafts together).  Not that I didn't like working there, but there-- I never worked the register because I did not ever master memorizing the right buttons to push for all different products.  And there, I did not like helping customers; in fact, my instinct was to avoid looking at them and all I wanted to do was hide in the stock room decorating and organizing the containers of supplies back there.  So why on earth would I ever want to even apply to work at Walgreens?

Turns out my job was ending at Paper Depot and my other boss at Brookdale Christian Center preschool could not give me more hours and it was too hard for me to get there while living on campus at North Central University.  So being at Bible College, I did the right thing.  I prayed about it.  All that happened was I got a picture in my mind of a bottle of foundation.  Now I did not wear make-up at the time, but I had just been on a walk the previous day to go to Walgreens downtown with a few friends.  (Can anyone tell me which friends they were?) We bought one thing there that I can recall-- a bottle of foundation.  Hence I walked to Walgreens the next day and asked to apply.  The manager, Mr. Lottman handed me a paper application which I promptly filled out in his office.  He read it, and interviewed me.  Then he replied, "You go to North Central University?  You're hired."  I may have even started the next day.

 I only worked a few hours each day maybe about three days a week or more when I could.  They closed at 6; we got off at 6 or 7.  My job:  Straighten the store.  At the time I did not even know the term "face."  But it was there I learned to pull everything from the back to the front thanks to a nice coworker named Rashad (I think, help with name someone?) I admit though that I did not always pull from front to back especially when I had other tasks added on as I continued to work there (Some of those shelves were made for elves). 

Appreciation for Minneapolis Walgreens (0)

Well it's about people.  I couldn't have done it without my manager; Mr. Landing, and managers; Saint, Josh, etc, and coworkers, Tianna, Rosanne, Russel,  Shannon, Sandy, Loren, Kristen, Scar (is that the name of that laughing hyena on lion king?)  (hey guys its been awhile, give me a break and help me out with the others--send me an email on facebook and I'll then give them a pseudonymn too!).  I gotta love those breaks--perfect get away from you know who... Always needed MORE than my share.  Thank you everyone I just mentioned and those I will mention--you always managed to cover the slack when I took way more than I should have.  My defense:  I was a huge fan of space back then.  A frelling space cadet, yeah, but not sci-fi like until now if you know what I mean.  LOL.  Didn't know what that meant then either.  Laugh out loud, who knew?  No one.  Geez it was still the 90's.  Didn't I tell you to give me a break?  What the frell?

Warning: Comedy on growth--Not ALL about You Walgreens! (1)

Understand that when I began at walgreens, it was a Girl Meets World rerun except not a rerun for me (I loved that show!). I grew up conservatively Christian, republican, tame, tender as the meaning of my name Rachel Finkenbinder (Lamb Birdwatcher)--Can one be a tame, tender politician these days?

Geez you'd think that to be president, you'd have to be mature and intelligent, but no... I guess these days you just have to win the name calling contest--you know what they say, "the meaner, the wiiiiinner" ok thats enough name calling for me!  For shame! Yes I confess.  I wasnt into politics until I started watching the daily show. 

Yep, thats what the world at Walgreens did to me--sorry mom--it taught me how to laugh!  Really it took all three Walgreens plus God in my journey to finally get me to laugh out loud at the awkward and especially taboo topics-- (or maybe I was always constipated before that)-- yes God!  A word for my mom here--chill!--means relax--the reason it is funny is because it is not an easy public subject or awkward;  maybe we need our comedians to help us see how good and fun sex is!  Most adults know sex is for committed relationships.  You do, so why not find it funny?  We're not children anymore...  Cuz sex is hilarious! enough said for now...

Wow, wonder what Rachel Marocco means?  Google says I'm a country and my name is spelled wrong.  It means "Land of God" (top website of "meaning of name, Marocco" was wikipidia on Morocco).  So in essence I am "Lamb, land of God"  Thanks God!  Confirmed; I'll take it, amen! (so be it.)  But I digress.

Back to thanking Walgreens (1)

Just a quick summary should wrap it up: a song will do.  I sing this to the tune of "Thank you for giving to the Lord" Check google for the tune to the chorus and maybe you can hear it.  "Th--a--nk  you for being who you are.  I am a life that was saved.  Th--a--nk you for being who you are.  I am so glad you gave."  Now change the tune to "Mary had a little lamb."  "You g-a-ve of your time each  day, smiled each day, talked each day.  You showed your care in your own way 'til I found out I was cool.  Mr. Landing, thank you for all your concern for me.  Tianna, Russel, Rosanne, Loren, Scar, Saint (St).  Kristin and Josh thank you for your cheerful outlooks, smiles, and  paying attention to me.  This next verse is also for you especially.  "You taught me how to laugh and play, laugh and play, laugh and play.  You taught me how to laugh and play, while working it was cool!  Thanks especially to Julie .J.  You all Rock!!!!