Denise Lee

My profession came to me by wanting to make good money and I was willing to work long and hard to earn my way. I was only 15 years old when I began doing construction work. I began as a laborer and had to wait to be chosen three days in a row just to get picked by a framer. Back then that is the way it was. I was there every day, on time and nobody would pick me. I had my basic tools all ready in my bucket, my body was fit, I could lift and do a better job then the laborers that I watched work after they got chosen and I didn't. On the 3rd day I decided I was not coming back if I did not get picked and I was chosen by an older man, that was good to me, taught me everything. At lunch time I would clean up his work area and tools and I sat and waited for this man to return. He said he had never in his entire career had a laborer like me. I began at $7.50 per hour, within 5 days he got me a raise to $10.00 and told them I was no longer a laborer, I was his apprentice. He let me choose the laborers that came and stood in line waiting to be chose, just like I did. It was my job to then show the laborer what he needed to do. I also was then framing doorways, windows, and all the other finishing framing that needed completed, changed or redone. That part of my life I believe is what made me have a strong love for constructing. Standing back and looking at something and saying, I done that, gave me a great feeling of satisfaction. I worked with him for a little over a year, and the job was completed. Now I had something I never had before experience! I thanked him for all he had done for me, he seen I was truly sincere. Tears came to his eyes and he said that I would do great things, he told me I was really good at my job. It was his pleasure to teach someone that really wanted to learn, he said I brought the joy of construction back into his life. I never seen him again, until 15 years later my foreman walked up to me and said this man wants to talk to u about framing your job. I was busy didn't want to talk to no one, I was on the phone with the building inspector, my secretary was calling and my foreman wanted me to meet someone, all at once. I said OK, I don't even know why, I looked up and he said my name. I did not even know him, until he spoke my name. He was out of work looking for a job, and then found a job with me. I will never forget what that little old man gave to me, it was not just experience, it was something more. Something you can not put into words. It's more of a feeling when I stand on vacant land, holding a blue print in my hand. I can see the structure built, before it's even begun. The Lord has given me a wonderful gift. I can never thank Him enough for all He has given and taught me. It's the Lord who should get all the glory, honor and praise, it's Him who built it threw me...