Forward of the Week: The Trouble Tree

Yesterday was the first weekday in over nine months that I did not post a new blog entry on the Jobacle blog.  It was a nice streak while it lasted.  It was just one of those work days where everything was just nuts. I won't bore you with the details.  However, I also endured a week from hell with the contractor from hell.  Who knew so many things could go wrong in a 25 square foot bathroom!  With that in mind, choosing The Forward of the Week was a breeze!

The Trouble Tree   

The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.

On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied." I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again."

He paused. "Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."