January ’18 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and sisters:

2017 is over.

Some will shout thank God and others will be sorry to see it go. For me, I feel a little bit of both. Starting in December of 2015 my mother’s health declined to the point where she was no longer capable of living at home and is now at a nursing home. My younger sister and her husband cleaned out the house, prepped it for sale and as a result I wound up with a small room full of artifacts to wade through and dispose of.

This has given me a new perspective on value. As I dug through the assembled debris of my mother’s life, memories called from the bottom of the boxes: a metal lunch box, a blue plastic lard bucket filled with toy cars, a Pony League Championship trophy, a hand-made long drive champion award, a pole vaulting Smurf, photos, photos and more photos spoke to moments from my past that aided in making me who I am today.

When my older sister Carol passed away, I was blessed with a true family heirloom: a clock brought over by my great grandfather from Poland as the family fled the onslaught of the Russian army in the 1890’s. The unique part of the story is that he had to cut off the top in order to fit it in the steamer trunk. One of the few links from the old world to the new. It still keeps perfect time.

When I look at the assemblage of items I coveted for years: my mother’s desk, my father’s retirement clock, my grandmother’s chair and my grandfather’s bronzes I reflect on their journey through time. These are the artifacts of my heritage and I will pass them to my children along with… what? More things?

I remind myself that this is just stuff. Stuff does not define me. I define me. I am happiest when I am pedaling my bicycle on an adventure and all I have in the world is what I am carrying in the panniers, meeting people and creating memories. This is all I really need.

My challenge is to let go of what holds me back, be it physical objects or emotional chains. The emotional chains? Well, that is a story for another time.

To all my Brothers and Sisters in the IUEC family; Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and work safe.

The January 12, 2018 union meeting is a mandatory meeting for the installation of officers. You must call the hall prior to the meeting in order to be excused and avoid a fine.

Where are they working?

Joe Broz, Jr. and Andrew Daniels at Tower in the Park doing a mod for Thyssen,

Tom Gombar and Tom Goggin installing battery units at Philips Medical for Kone,

Brendan Hyland and Jeff Lindell installing two cars at Vanguard for Kone,

Heath Kramer and Jon McCuan installing a pump unit at Mount St. Herman for Kone,

Drew Williams, Bill Sellers, Mack Carollo and Ed Gimmel doing a two car mod at Severance Urgent Care for Thyssen,

Bob Brady and Cory Huhn replacing light fixtures at the Cleveland Clinic for Otis,

Scott Villanueva and Zach Miller doing service work at Fairview Hospital for Otis,

Joe Simcic and Morgan Armstrong installing two cars at CSU for Otis,

Craig Nolty and Dan Koprowski installing a car at Explorist for Otis,

Al Ward and Pat Pollack installing three cars at 1 University Circle for Otis.

 

As of this writing there are two mechanics and one apprentice on the bench.

Until next month…

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

 

Don
DKnapik@windstream.net