A momma brag

**Darlene** · 11-08-2005, 04:49 PM

Picture of my son where he works.

Just wanted to share.

http://www.americanprofile.com/issue...51106_4879.asp

**Tara2126** · 11-08-2005, 04:53 PM

Oh, how cool is that? How does he like working there?

**forestdale** · 11-08-2005, 05:05 PM

He's so handsome and he looks kind and friendly. Great smile too. I'm guessing he gets that from his mum.

**Missy** · 11-08-2005, 05:10 PM

Great smile on that handsome guy! How does he like being a guide?

**jlxian** · 11-08-2005, 05:32 PM

How cool to be featured in the American Profile!

**Dixie** · 11-08-2005, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by forestdale
He's so handsome and he looks kind and friendly. Great smile too. I'm guessing he gets that from his mum.

That's exactly what I was thinking!

**homesteadmamma** · 11-08-2005, 05:54 PM

Oooh handsome guy. How old did you say he was Darlene?

**RuthNY** · 11-08-2005, 06:57 PM

Nice looking young man Darlene! I have to give him credit, I could NEVER work there. I found out while visiting my sister in South Dakota that I am terrified of being underground in caves.

**mom2matty** · 11-08-2005, 07:28 PM

Very handsome and what a neat place!

**seatosea** · 11-08-2005, 07:34 PM

Your son is a cutie and what a great job to have!

**babymav** · 11-08-2005, 07:41 PM

That is so neat

What a handsome young man

**Mom23boys** · 11-08-2005, 08:03 PM

What a handsome son you have!

**Darlene** · 11-08-2005, 08:06 PM

Thanks friends.

Lets see, he just turned 19 and is away at college now studying business. He probably will work Christmas vacation there but beyond that who knows. He's thinking of doing an internship somewhere, but not sure where for the summer. He has enjoyed working there for 2 seasons now and has only had a handful of really obnoxious tours. Most guests at the Caverns are warm & friendly and he really enjoys meeting people from all over the world. He'd tell you he wished they paid guides more. (min wage but get to keep tips which very very few give, think he got a tip from 10 people last season) He usually gives 3-4 tours a day and the average group size is 32 people, tour lasts 1.25 hrs.
It really is a nice family destination and this job (one of his first) has given him so much confidence and self assuredness I don't thing he'd have gotten elsewhere. He really came into his own working here.

I'm the one who suggested he work there years ago & sat and waited while he filled out the application and had an interview on the spot.
Some jobs can really take your childs life and make such a difference & lead you to really nice places, Howe Caverns was one of those. I never knew this job was going to be such a catalyst for change but it was. It took a boy who was smart , liked playing video games and hanging out with friends and made him into a self assured, responsible young man.

Yep, I'm happy & proud.

**duckduckgoose007** · 11-08-2005, 10:51 PM

You did good "Mom"...Mark looks like a very nice young man.

**Kimberlina** · 11-09-2005, 10:40 AM

Very nice picture, Darlene. Thanks for sharing.

I give hime credit- I thought it might be fun to work there, then decided I couldn't possibly do tours (not that I serously considerd it, BTW) because there is barely any light at all in there, let alone natural light. And what if you have to use the restroom halfway throug the tour???

I had to run all the way back from the boat ride with my 3 year old niece to get her back to the bathroom in time!