Memories from the Mayor

Tommie’s coal shed (that is the place where you keep the coal you burn in your “warm morning” heating stove out of the weather) needed a new roof. Problem, Tommie broke his leg, so he decided I could put on the shingles. Now, I was 10 years old, I knew nothing about laying shingles. So, Tommie spread out shingles on the ground and explained to me how to put them on the roof. Next, I climbed the ladder, and started work. In a day, about two squares of shingles later, I was finished. Next rain, coal was dry, stayed dry until the shed was removed years later. I was always proud of that job and have always been impressed at the kindness, patience, and trust my grandfather had in me to do the job. Every time I pick up a hammer, start any construction job, I think of him, his instruction, his trust. Now it wasn’t the prettiest job ever, but he thought it to be “absolutely marvelous. Keep on laying your shingles.