Some kids idolize Saquon Barkley. For others, that person is Taylor Swift. For many, it’s Spidey or Batman.
This year, my 4-year old son’s hero was Mr. Derwin – the builder who did our home renovation.
Now, whenever Jack builds with his Magnatiles, tinkers with his tools, or does “hard work, yard work” he proudly claims, “I’m a [con]‘struction guy like Mr. Derwin.”
I think Jack chose the right guy to look up to. Mr. Derwin is pretty awesome- both as a builder and as a person. And whether Jack ends up becoming a ‘struction guy, or doing something entirely different with his life, there are three things that I hope Jack learns from his hero:
- Pursue something you’re great at
Derwin was born to be a builder. He sees, designs, and constructs things with a mastery, pace, and attention to detail that’s difficult for a novice to fathom. He embraces, loves, and takes great pride in every step of the process -maintaining a high standard for himself and his entire team. And while Derwin is one of the most humble guys I know, he has unwavering confidence in his craft. And because of all that, he consistently produces great work. I hope Jack can find that thing that he’s great at and pursue it to its fullest potential- just like Mr. Derwin.
2. Own your problems
Over the course of a renovation, problems inevitably pop up- whether they come from a miscalculation in the initial design, a surprise hiding behind the existing walls, or a mistake by one of the subcontractors along the way. It would have been easy to overlook or ignore the minor issues, but Derwin pays attention to the little details and speaks up when something is not right. It would also be easy to make these issues someone else’s problem, but Derwin offers solutions and takes care of it himself. As Jack grows up, he’ll make plenty of mistakes and he’ll also encounter problems that aren’t necessarily his fault. And I hope when he does, Jack speaks up, owns the responsibility, and finds a way to fix it – just like his buddy, Mr. Derwin.
3. Be a guy who people trust with the big things
Derwin knew how important this project was to us, and he didn’t take the responsibility lightly. He took extra time, listened to our ideas, and always did what was in our best interest. He proactively and transparently communicated any potential changes to costs and timelines to help us feel clear and comfortable throughout the process. He transformed our vision into an even better reality. Rather than taking short cuts or overcharging, Derwin was on a mission to create an experience that went far beyond our expectations.
As Jack grows up – I hope he can be a guy that people can lean on for their big decisions and turn to in their big moments. Whether he’s a teammate, friend, family member, or professional something, I hope he’s a guy people can trust with the big things- like Mr. Derwin.
Mr. Derwin built a special place where we’ll get to continue raising our kids, hosting our friends and family, and enjoying everyday life. And while he was building something special – he was setting a really awesome example for a young ‘struction guy along the way.
This Thanksgiving, in addition to all the usual things I was thankful for (family, friends, health, etc.) – I was especially thankful for Mr. Derwin. Not only because of the job he did, but the way he did it.
Now that I think about it, maybe I’d like to be a little more like Mr. Derwin when I grow up.
The Janiec Reflection 