It was official, it was the weekend and a Saturday rain free and the bad weather was behind us. Time to get on with our Labor Day Weekend. Normally Saturdays are slotted for our kids to take part in their morning bowling league. We decided to take a break from bowling and used this day to go up to the Anne Arundel County Fair grounds to get ready for the upcoming concert on the 13th and then the traditional fair festivities that are from the 14th Thur to the 17th of September. We like to do out part and have been volunteering for this organization for the last 7 years. You name it, we've had some part in it. The most favorites are the Demolition Derby, Halloween Happening, and of course the Annual Fair.
My husband, as I have mentioned before, is an experienced equipment operator and was asked to fix the washed out roads on the grounds. My husband has operated equipment for years and still to this day, feels he is average, which could be low self-esteem or maybe he is trying to keep his ego at bay, or honestly just believes he doesn't compare to the others of his trade. I am sure those who have seen him work will agree with me. He knows his stuff. Yes I wanted another word, but keeping it clean for the kids of the Internet.
Now, taking his skill and the multitude of jobs he has done over the past twenty something years, I always found that taking our two boys to some of his work sites to watch dad do his thing, gave my boys the want to be just like their dad (Ron). To them, Ron is their hero - who needs a red cape and a superman outfit when you have huge machines that dig things up and knock (stuff) down. Still keeping it clean. *wink*
We decided to make the road repair a family day. We went over to Ron's place of employment to pick up a truck and trailer for the Bobcat (Piece of equipment), that his Boss authorized the use of, to complete the roads. My oldest son was hired for summer work through the same company where my husband works. He has a few hours of training on various pieces of equipment and like any 17 year old boy...he believes he now has mastered the skills that took Ron 20 years to develop. But telling a 17 year old that he's just a beginner is like telling him that I really put onions in spaghetti - There's no way!
Now my youngest son who is 14, has envied his brother for many a summers knowing that his brother gets to operator the equipment that he only gets to enjoy through Tonka or Matchbox. But today was going to be different, dad was going to show his boys just how much skill he really has, even through he believes he doesn't have any, and I was going to get to prove my point to him - that he has quite a gift. Below I have added videos of my husband instructing the boys on fixing roads, that have washed out, with asphalt milling's.
To teach a skill one must be skilled themselves not only in their work/trade, but in their ability to understand that everyone learns at a different pace and sees things differently. The difference between a good instructor and a great instructor - A great instructor helps you find your hidden talent, moves you to want to make a difference in yourself and the courage to achieve your dreams . My kids had the best instructor on this day - Their Dad.
Due to Internet delays - Videos are not available at this time.
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| This is a photo from the video - 9/3/2011 Ron Teaching his boys the trade. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaAF_3WMJGM&ob=av2e |
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