The shed industry is made up of many great folks. I have shared some stories about a few of my coworkers throughout the years in this little column. Billy Don, Bob, Vance, and many other friends have made my experience more enjoyable and interesting.
A couple of years ago, a man named Donal (we call him Donny) joined our team. Donny had a long history in construction, having started as a young man working with his father. They built all kinds of structures.
As he grew older, Donny worked in many facets of the construction world—actual construction projects, lumberyards, a CDL driver delivering materials, etc.
I met Donny when he was employed at our hometown lumberyard. He was the indispensable guy that many small businesses have who pretty much does whatever needs to be done.
He functioned primarily as their delivery man, but you could find him helping inside the store, cleaning up around the yard, helping customers load, or anything else he could see that needed a helping hand.
He had a family emergency that caused him to move out of state for a short time. When he returned, we were able to snag him to join our shed-building crew. He was willing to work long hours and never balked at an assignment.
Everyone on the crew liked him. Very few people we have hired have ever been so greatly appreciated by everyone else.
Donny and Billy Don worked very well together. I told people who asked about them that Donny was just Billy Don Sr. because they were so similar, and Donny is a few years older than Billy (who is a few years older than dirt).
When I built my shop a few months ago, Donny was a tremendous asset. He and Billy Don helped me a lot, and Donny’s extensive knowledge and experience were invaluable. I know that I have been better off because I have known Donny.
A few weeks ago, Donny left work and started his drive to his Pauls Valley home. His customary hours were from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., so it was well after dark. As he rounded the “5-mile curve” (so named because it is four miles outside of Pauls Valley), he was T-boned by a young driver who failed to stop at the stop sign.
Donny was flown to OU Medical Center and underwent multiple surgeries to stop internal bleeding. Several bones were broken. We did not know if he would pull through or not.
That next week was tense as we waited and hoped that he would recover. Thankfully, he is now able to be at home with his family. His future is unknown, but at least he is alive.
You know if you read my column that I have primarily used this little platform to share lighthearted stories with the goal of entertaining. Today, though, I have two different motivations.
First, I want to encourage all my fellow shed builders to be thankful for what you have today. Are you tired from your long day? Instead of griping about it, try being thankful that you were able to go to work. I assure you Donny would love to be tired from a long day of work!
Hug your loved ones, pick up the phone and call your mom, take an afternoon off sometime and spend it with your family. Life is short and so uncertain.
Second, I want to ask you to pray for Donny and his family. I’m sure very few of us actually understand how they feel, but I can imagine that I would need prayer if I were in their shoes.
If you would like to help in any other ways, feel free to email me at tyler@betterbarns.net and I will do my best to facilitate that.
Remember, live today as if it could be your last. One day, it will be.
