Working nights

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In Those Days, I usually worked the night shift. First in the early 70's building airplanes, then though the 80's in law enforcement. I actually preferred the graveyard shift (usually midnite to dawn) over the night shift (3pm-midniter). In the airplane industry, as a perk, we only worked 6 hours but got paid for eight. We used to call it the "Gravy Train."

Those that worked nights were different. Some worked it so long they seldom saw sunshine and developed sort of a pale greenish hue in their skin. Not me though. I'd make a dash to 7-11, get the ingredients, and we'd all go to the beach for some sun while waiting for the morning rush hour traffic to end.

We were different from the pantie waists that worked during the day. Just as with those that we dealt with in the darkness, we were a different breed. Those that hang in the shadows (on both sides) had to be different to survive. We had little supervision to contend with and got the job done quicker and better without them. We were the workers. We kept the stats up so those working in sunshine could shine. Night watchers despised them, just as they despised us.

But working nights takes its toll. Night shifters tend to alienate themselves from the "normal" ones. The ones that run the show. And they tend not to care about running the show themselves, but care only about getting the job done and surviving for another night. On the night shift, one's health and family affairs suffer as you don't eat properly, and rely on nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, and sarcasm to survive.

I was one of the lucky ones. I saw in time, what I had turned into, just in time to change. I bailed out. I went to the day shift. The sun shiner's club. Normalcy. And I studied those that are true day shifters. And I learned to think as they thought. And I was able to promote. And I was able to join my family in meaningful ways and share with them those important times. And my family then prospered. And my life had meaning.

But the night shift is why I am what I am. It was how I came to be me. It made me hard on the outside. Hard while the battle raged, but quiet when it was over. Always asking the hard questions, while challenging every answer. Trusting few, but loving only my family and those that proved themselves. A loner. Quiet. A dreamer who seldom laughs in the presense of others. Seeing most things in a way thatsome don't, or won't admit to it. Speaking out with the truth that is often so offensive to some, but respected by others. A hard worker that seems to always get the job done, one way or another. Sometimes crying in the quiet times. And sometimes sitting alone in the night, laughing out loud while all else is still.

And, I respect those that work the night shift. The different breed. And, I cheerish what the night shift gave me. But, for me, Those Days will never return.
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