The Builder’s Reward

Dad and I ripped out the slippery old wood deck in front of our house revealing a large, abandoned flower bed and a beautiful curved concrete walkway with steps leading to the front door.

Using the old deck boards, we measured and cut them into fence boards… our own version of picket fence stretching across in front of the house lining the sidewalk leading from the garage to the newly revealed sidewalk and on in front of the large garden area to the other side of the front yard.

That was almost 35 years ago. We don’t live there anymore, but I have driven by the house many times and the fence is still there, still standing strong (although it’s been painted purple), but it is still my dad’s and my fence. It was our design and our build.

What a reward! We built something nice and other people are still able to enjoy it. It was beneficial not only to us but future homeowners. This is part of how we’re made – to know we can make something and what we make will be useful and appreciated.

Think of something in your life you made or created that others enjoy yet today.

There will be something and you can be encouraged by it.

Rock Hound #2

Way back in October 2020 we were talking about rocks….still talking…

A good friend likes rocks even more than me! She had a birthday a few weeks back…what would she like for her birthday?

I remembered the piece of petrified wood found years ago at the Goodwill! and a smooth black stone from the Baltic sea…also from some years back. What a fun goofy birthday gift to give her. It was so fun to watch her open the present. They were wrapped in a paper bag 🙂 She loved them!

She told me the story of her husband finding a large rock with a stripe around the middle (reminded me of the Hampshire pig). Found in a farmer’s field they got a back hoe and delivered it to corner of her house where it is today!

How crazy is this affinity for a stone! We each talked of driving down the road and seeing a rock on someone else’s property and wanting it! I guess you can covet about anything!!

Well, we learned to keep driving and work with our own rocks.

For a ‘going away’ present, she gave me a beautiful smooth stone painted with colorful designs and hearts all over it!!! I just love it!!!

Often the most appreciated/loved things cost the least…just the thoughtfulness of taking time to learn what other people like and help them find it.

Life like this is so good!

What do you like? What do your friends like?

Can you give them some good?