Today was terrific. It is Summer. The sun is bright from 5:45 in the morning until about 7 in the evening. It is hot enough to bring sweat at all times of day and night. The fertile soil of this mountainous place has dried in some places to the point of cracked earth an inch wide and who can estimate at what depth it joins again? There are fires in fields and strips of grass at random throughout the town, most likely caused by discarded cigarettes. Yesterday a person set off a hand grenade in front of one of the small businesses in Fushekruje. Tempers are short including mine. There is a growl in the voice of people as they talk. On the television there is talk of an economic crisis here.
And for all of that, my crew has been working at a steady pace to move rock and earth, concrete, gravel, water and cement with quick smiles and few long pauses between tasks. We took delivery of quite a bit of material today. The curbs for the border around the flower gardens, planting strips, children’s play area, and vehicle parking lot were delivered. The operator of the small crane was fast, but not in a cavalier way. This isn’t cowboy territory like the deep South of the US. There is respect for human safety here.
I believe this was Fatjon’s first time rigging up to a crane; something I had not done before age 22. Nothing crushed and he also maneuvered out of pinch points well. He is a good hand to have on site; eager, respectful, intelligent and cheerful. It was good to have Ervis and Egim back at work. They also bring particular qualities to the crew. Our jobsite is taking shape in a way that is very satisfying to the eye and to the part of me that suffers from the Puritan Work Ethic. Progress feeds the well I draw from.
Working as part of a team is uniquely satisfying; everyone does their job well. We, each of us, can rely on the others to perform. Trust is the ultimate, the peak of teamwork. Trust is in many ways like faith. Were my faith in God stronger than it is, I would not be surprised at His many gifts to me in recent days. It is good to have Him as a second father.
albaniacalling 