The Sunny Side Of The Street

This was a very well timed reminder for me that there's always hope. I was sure this Madronna tree was dead-dead-dead. It sits at the bottom of a trail Jay and I cut into the woods the first year we moved here. Three years ago the city thinned the edges of the green belt and opened up a lot of the woods to light. I noticed tonight as I came up the drive way that this poor old Madronna had re-grown it's canopy. It might not be much but that old tree is trying.

Looking back at recent posts I realize how negative I've been lately. It makes me realize that I may be part of the problem. I've been bitching here about the one or two bad eggs we have at work. Let me tell you about the others.

First off there's Mir (pronounced mirror) This kid is 20 something, comes from Eritrea. He grew up in a country at war. His mother was absent for long periods of time working as a nurse in the war zone. His father was in the military in arms procurement. (That got an eyebrow raise out of me but whatever) His folks got him out of the country before he was highschool age to come here to live with an uncle. This kids is a charmer - and a lady killer. Not the strongest work ethic but hey he's20+ and he can get the job done.

Then there's Andy - He's a bit older - I think 33ish - got strung out on Oxycontin but has fought his way back off the drug. He about 6' 2" and shaggy blonde hair. He sounds like a New York matron who has smoked for 60 years. The man works his ass off and is pretty good leading a team.

Mfon (em-fon) is from Nigeria. Another 20-something. The first time I met this kid I though "what the hell are you doing wanting to work here?" This kid has such a spark in his eye and is so full of life, I just know he should be elsewhere writing symphonies or making art or, I don't know - something. He's so full of life. amazing.

Adam has the build of a fireplug and the personality of one to. Maybe to harsh of a judgement as he's not worked for us very long but he is a hard worker and can get the job done

Those are all Jay's guys and I haven't mention my other guy (my non-problem guy) Jason - Jason has had a run in with the law with a domestic violence charge. He's dealt with that situation and paid his debt and is intensely serious about making up for lost time. He recently learned he has a 5 year old daughter who's mother needs help and connected to get child support. I've known other men who have been confronted with this and have been very negative about it. Not Jason. He was thrilled and even though he's been struggling he really wants to do right by his newly learned of daughter. He's paying his child support and is going back to MN to meet his girl next month for the first time. At work he's so earnest and eager, he really wants to do a good job, make money for the company and move up in the organization. That alone is golden for us.

I've been bitching about our business partners faults but I have to acknoledge my/our own. We're not perfect and I'm sure we must make them nuts too. We do really care about/love them, it's going to be a difficult transition as they retire. It would serve me well to stay on the positive.

Seeing the Madronna's new canopy drew me down into the woods. The pathway needs a lot of work this year. Winters storms blew down a lot of limbs this year. We'll use the to re-outline the walking path.



That's the house up behind the trees