Today was the only day this week that I was able to go into Fushekruje to work. My crew was under the guidance and supervision of Ervis in my stead; a man whom I am growing to rely on more each day. It is difficult to appreciate how much work goes on under the concrete slabs we walk on and drive over without being a part of that process. Even I am often surprised at just how much time, work and resources it takes to get an area ready to be forever hidden. Vissy had a pile of receipts to go over and a few stories to tell. We were both happy to see each-other.
The tile layers were finally getting started on the rooms on the bottom floor of the church. Uli, his two sons, and a fourth man spent the day diligently making silk purses out of scabbed-over, rough-poured, slab-on-grade, sow’s ear floors. Uli is a man who is impossible not to like. As with so many of the men here, he is grounded, sincere, intelligent, motivated, talented, kind, skilled, humble and honest. I have come to admire him both as a craftsman and as a father.
It was also good to see Agim, Sajmir and Fatjon. Pierin has been let go due to a lack of work. Agim has probably lost as many as 20 pounds since work began and his energy can only be matched by his positive attitude. When I see him I always ask “O Gimmy, mere ti? Si jeni, mir?”
To which he will always respond by putting a fist in the air and saying either “Top, top,” or “Chelik!” And he means it. Agim is one of the members of my family I wouldn’t have chosen after our first meeting, but again I am humbled by God’s choice for me being the proper choice. Agim is a good man. He and Fatjon moved gravel for most of the day.
Sajmir, as always, the very best. What a gem of a man he is. It was good for the two of us to have almost an entire week away from each-other. We came back to a fresh friendship, unencumbered by recent frustrations or perceived insults. I think we both had fresh ears today, which is one of the keys to respect: listening. He and Fatjon will work tomorrow to get next to the last curbs in place. We cannot finish them completely until after we hook up our underground water handling systems.
I was happy to return to my routine today. Some things are impossible to like until you begin to miss them. Soon enough this chapter will be over and I will be in search for new routines. Until then I plan to crack the bones and suck out the marrow.
albaniacalling 