What Delivering Joy Means to Me 2019

Shop LC held a writing contest, open to every employee. The theme was “What Delivering Joy Means to Me.” We are proud to share the winning entry, penned by Maricel Dancel, a member of our Services team.

Delivering Joy. Never in my entire life did I think I would be capable of Delivering Joy after my precious Dad passed away last July 2019. I came to Austin, not knowing that I will become a Customer Service Agent. I had been working in customer service with a Californian manufacturing company for eight years before starting a new life here.

Somebody told me that Shop LC was hiring, so I dropped off my resume for just five days after arrival. I interviewed that next Monday and began training. After two weeks, I started work!

Since the day Dad passed away, I had to prepare the viewing and cremation, then come to Austin and start a whole new life with my brother. This is what Dad wanted for us; to be together as a family.

I don’t have time to grieve, I had to get myself busy to come all the way from California after 12 years. He knows that this is our plan because he does not want me to be sad. I am the kind of person that if I cried non-stop, only he could calm me down.

When I began training, and I saw that the Purpose of Shop LC is Delivering Joy, it was an interpretation that I have to move on with my life without my daddy.

Every time I come to work and see happy faces of people, I believe that this is what my Dad wants me to do; to give joy and not to be sad as he is now in a happy place.

I have to accept that he will no longer be with me, but through talking to people, sharing views in life, and giving service to customers, I’m Delivering Joy. It helps me with managing my grief.

If I did not have this job, maybe I will be sad and will forever be lonely for the rest of my life. Through Delivering Joy, I find wisdom, happiness, and I look forward to each day. Meeting new people at work, or new customers makes the whole day of my life. Happy or upset, helping them helps me grow. At the end of the day, I fully understand that life must go on, and death should not be a hindrance to success.

My Dad prepared me to have this kind of job for me to be happy. With each day that passes, I will always remember him in my heart. He wanted me to be strong and put a smile on everyone’s face as he did when he was still alive. His legacy will remain as long as I am Delivering Joy.

Every person I’ve talked to is just a phone call away from Dad. Listening to these customers, either happy or sad, brought me to motivate them to live their life to the fullest. I think Delivering Joy is the best medicine that I could have to answer to all my questions.

Why my Dad? He was only 67 years old, and I wanted more time with him after 10 years of not seeing him. When he came to the US, he stayed only for 10 weeks. I have to admit that I’m very thankful to God for allowing us to be together and that he died peacefully in my arms.

I cannot have everything in life, and God moves in mysterious ways. And when He does, it is completely different the way I planned! God’s plan never fails and always the best for us.

Finally, Delivering Joy is about being able to connect with others by giving hope and enlightening the lives of others. Thank you, Shop LC, for allowing me to be a part of your company! Through this environment, I fully understand the meaning of life. The people we touch every day through our affordable products, shipping these items on time, and making sure that our customers are happy with their orders are our fulfillment and success.

Our customers keep coming because of who we are. From the management to the agent, from the warehouse to IT, we work as one. And that brings joy to the world and in the eyes of God.