on close talking carpenters

and putting padding in place when necessary

Jerry’s a builder - a carpenter by trade.

These days he works for the city checking the work of his peers.

For years though, he was out there framing and finishing houses.

An old timer gave me some pretty good advice when I started. He said:

Look around at us old fuckers. Whatddya see?

Jerry laughed and said that he saw a bunch of dusty old men smoking.

Look more closely. None of us old guys walk well and we all are close talkers.

Jerry paused while telling the story.

None of us can hear and our knees are shot.

He told me to wear hearing protection and knee pads and make sure to always have time for a smoke.

Later that day, the old timer was in distress, calling Jerry over to help. Jerry being Jerry, dropped everything and helped. In doing so he was on his knees with his ears closer to a cement cutter than anyone would want. Neither were protected.

Once they finished and were having a smoke, the old timer smacked him.

Whattayoudoin’ ya dummy? WhatdidItellya about knees and ears?

Jerry gaped at him.

That’s how it happens dumbass. A person needs help. You come help without lookin’ after yourself? You do it once, you’ll do it a thousand times. Next thing you know you'll be a half deaf arthritic mess like me.

How does your care for others slowly erode you?

How does someone the emergency that someone else experiences slowly become your chronic condition?

Protect your knees.

Protect your ears.

And if you’re planning to help, make sure you’ve got some padding in place first.