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Salute to The Gateway Parking Guy

One thing I always try to appreciate when I see it, is hard work.  Someone who goes out, does their job, and works hard at it consistently, with no fanfare.  And someone who can manage to do this in a job that I would consider to be menial, and stay happy and enthusiastic about it.  One of my favorite examples of this is someone I don't even know. 

Several years ago, Salt Lake opened The Gateway outdoor mall.  I don't shop there much, but I'm there pretty frequently for dinner or to see a movie.  Since there's usually a lack of available free parking in the neighborhood, and because even if there is, I don't like walking back to my car alone in the dark, I typically park in the underground parking structure.  It's a bit of a hassle to get in and out, but I feel relatively safe there.  

As long as I've been parking at The Gateway, I've also noticed a man who directs the flow of traffic in and out.  I would say he's probably a middle-aged gentleman, but it's tough to tell - he's usually in a hat and coat and sunglasses.  But I honestly don't recall a time that I've ever been to The Gateway that I haven't seen him.  This would mean that he works a lot of late nights and a lot of weekends, and I would assume that the pay isn't that great.  He's a bit stern-looking, but even so, he's always enthusiastic and on top of his game, and frankly, there would likely be a disturbance in my force if he wasn't there to show me the way out.

My friends make fun of me over this, but I don't care.  He's just a great example to me of doing what needs to be done, and at least from my perspective, doing it without complaint.  So here's to The Gateway Parking Guy.  Long may he wave.

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