Relearning Gratitude for Life's Foundations
Human numbers and industrial growth have become so great that we are undermining the basis of our existence.
In my youth, I worked as a carpenter for eight years, helping build houses in London, Ontario, as a framer for my uncles' company, Suzuki Brothers Construction.
A framer constructs the foundation and skeleton of a house, which includes building the forms for the footings and foundation, mixing and pouring the concrete, and then tearing the forms off.
- Putting up the floor joists and rough flooring
- Building the walls with openings for doors and windows
- Installing ceiling joists, rafters, and sheeting
After the foundation work was done, other professionals would install electrical wiring and plumbing, followed by plasterers, roofers, trimmers, and painters who would add the finishing touches.
No observable evidence of the work I and so many others after me had put in.
Author's summary: Reevaluating life's basic foundations.