Construction view

One day I stood mesmerized at the train station.   Transfixed.  Focused.  Awed.

I wasn’t alone standing in such a state of wonder.  Two others waiting for the train had their eyes glued to the same sight:  A man operating a Volvo waste handler equipment.

You see, the half lot of the train station was undergoing construction.  At least four gigantic equipments on wheels were on site for some kind of heavy duty operation.  There were mountains of dirt and piles of loose boulders in the vicinity.  The construction workers had to make sense of everything, putting every loose soil and rock in their places.

That morning the Volvo monster machine was doing its magic and it caught everyone’s attention.  The machine has a lobster claw-like attachment that went up and down to the intended target.  Its driver obviously had the proper training, eye for details and patience to operate that monstrous machine.  He deserves the kudos for getting the hard work done.  If not for his special skill, it would be a long, lackluster time on the job.

The three of us stood there watching as the giant claw did its work.  It moved large, heavy rocks… scattered the dirt… and flattened the soil.  It seemed like a painstaking, laborious ordeal.  But in just a few minutes, progress was achieved.  The view looked much better than when the morning started.  It put into perspective the reality that as with everything else in life, if we have the appropriate tools and talent, anything can get accomplished.

I’ve heard that construction workers get compensated well for their efforts.  That morning I had a better appreciation of what they do and realized why they deserve every dollar of their paycheck.  I just have to look around me to be convinced that without those hard-working construction workers, we won't have the privilege of living in an orderly, aesthetic concrete jungle.

Thank you, guys!

Volvo waste handler