This past Saturday was a very enjoyable day of hard work. I do not do enough physical work on a regular basis, so these days stand out like events. I do not have a very deep well of handyman skills, so renovation or construction projects often just baffle me. Consequently, I have typically just contracted out the jobs in the past. I have never felt that comfortable in asking friends for help, especially if I do not have a clear vision of what needs to happen to get the job done. Not sure why. Pride? Independence?

This past weekend was a departure from my normal modus operandi. The giving nature of others is very humbling to me. Greg, Colin, Alex, Dana all showed up to give Kathy & I a hand. Tearing down the fence and disposing of the material was no small project. It sure helped that Greg brought the right tools for the job, including a jack-hammer. Everyone gave of their time and energy and put their back into the task at hand. The fence was down in about an hour and a half, and the last run of the day to the dump was around 3:30. Pretty amazing stuff. We only had 2 of the 13 pillars and the wood panels to haul on Sunday and that only required two loads.

I am very thankful for the use of truck, tools, & time that were all given freely. I wrestle with an effective way to express my gratitude and offer thanks in a way that honors the givers. So many lessons in a hard day’s work. So much to be thankful for. I am also thankful for the opportunity to get to know some of my friends a bit better and have a day of work followed by a bite to eat and a few beers. Thanks. I am blessed.

Right Tools for the job

Alex & Jack Hammer Away

Fence is being delivered to its new home: The dump

In giving you are throwing a bridge across the chasm of your solitude.  ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry