It was the summer of 1989 and Mike decided he would build a small house.

He had told his wife Sue that he was going to build this project alone. It was early morning and Mike started laying out the foundation. Mikes neighbor was sitting on the porch watching after several hour he decided to go introduce himself. He lived in an old house on 15 acres of land. He walked up to the fence and said hello neighbor my name is Joe, can I help you I see your going to build yourself a home. Sure Joe if you like I could use some help laying this foundation out. By the way my name is Mike, I appreciate you offering to help. No problem l been bored I’m glad you are allowing me to lend a hand. They both spent the day laying out the foundation and would bring the back hole to dig the footers the next morning. Thank you Joe for helping me today. Hey by the way would you like to help me build this house I could use the help. Yes certainly I would be happy too. The next day Joe helped dig the footers and they poured the concrete. Mike had ordered the brick and the flooring materials. After the foundation and flooring was completed.

Mike realize that Joe was well experienced in carpentry. It was lunch time and they were sitting around having a sandwich that Sue, Mikes wife had made for them.

Joe I see you have a lot of knowledge at carpentry I believe you could built this house without any help. Joe laughed yes sir I can . Why are you not working Joe?

Well Mike in 1985 I was injured and I lost my job than my truck I could not get a job anywhere because of transportation. I been living here on my family’s property every since. As you know it’s a long distance to town and there’s no way I can get to work. So when I saw you were going to build a house I had to offer my help it’s been a while since I’ve done any hard labor. With out a job I can only do so much to my place. Mike was very rich and had a lot of money from construction and he was moved by Joe’s story. That night he told his wife about Joe’s story and how he had offered to help and never asked for any pay.

The next day as Mike and Joe were working Mike told Joe, you know Joe I really appreciate you coming over to help me and I would like to help you, and also pay you for your help. Mike, I don’t expect any pay I just want to do the neighborly thing and help thy neighbor. Joe you are a great guy and I’m really glad we met, I have a nice truck over in the shed that I’m not using any more it’s yours it’s not new but it’s a good truck. Joes eyes got big but Mike why I’m just here to help you build your house. Well you see Joe, I have been blessed and I have a lot more than I really need. That truck is just sitting there and I want you to have it. You won’t have to walk to town anymore. I would like for you to help me build this house and after that be a supervisor for my company. I will pay you good and you will have a job as long as you want. Joe had tears in his eyes and said Mike, how can I ever thank you. No need to neighbor I think we have become friends and you are a great person and worker. I feel like I’m the blessed one to have move close to your property. I would also like for you to help me around my property whenever our work is slow so you’ll never be out of work.

Any material that are left over you may have to renovate your house at no cost .

Joe wanted to cry thank you sir how can I ever pay you . You already have said Mike the day you came over to help me.

Mike I will never let you down as long as I’m able to work. I know that, this is a life changer for the both of us.

Mike went on to tell Joe that he was very rich and that he wanted to give him 25,000.00 bonus for helping him and a nice salary. Mike , you have changed my life forever and you helped a rich stubborn neighbor that thought he could do this project alone just because I could and had the money and you showed me that a poor neighbor that has been down on his luck had more knowledge and experience than any of my employees.

Written By:

Freddie Lopez

01-06-2021