This building was my first jobsite upon starting my business.
I lovingly referred to the structure as “the Shop”. She was an empty shell of a her former self when I knew her. On the inside her timber-framing was exposed for all to see. The store’s fixtures had been stripped out long ago.
I understand that back in the late 1800’s she was a general store. Once a bustling center of commerce but for the next few years it would be just her and me.
You can see my brand new truck setting out front of the shop, the only new vehicle I’ve ever purchased for myself. Well… I should say it was new… in 1988… I still drive that same truck today. I’ve got 450,000 miles on her now. We’ve both put on a few miles, and a few years.
On the other side of the truck you will see what was the rental house I was living in at the time. Inside that house was my lovely wife and my three children, all under the age of five. She had her hands full. My job was to provide for them all.
At the time this photo was taken I had left the employment of my previous job, working for another contractor, to start my own business. I had no work lined up, at all. I had just enough savings set aside to pay my bills for a month, maybe two. But I had faith it would work out, and just enough fear to keep me energized.
Each workday I would get up early, pack my lunch and walk the 40 steps to my Shop. There I would build sawhorses and benches, sharpen tools, and make phone calls.
I managed to find enough work that first year to keep the lights on. The next year I would build a log cabin that would find itself onto the cover of Country Living. And two years after that, I would build a home for my family and would leave this Shop behind. It was a bittersweet farewell.
She still stands there, tall and proud, I’m thankful to say.
I always drive slow when I pass her by and reflect on that period in my life. There I was cold, and broke, and scared… and so alive, anxious for what was to come.
Originally posted 2015-07-02 12:21:47.