“Just another day in paradise!” I said as I came down from the smoke stack we were working on. The stack had reached nearly 700’ of its topping out height of somewhere near 1200’, so we were over half way there. I was not sure I was going to be here for the topping off party, graveyard shift was not my thing and even if the money was good, it might be time to drag-up.
When the elevator reached the ground, day shift late arrivals were waiting anxiously to get aboard, I was pushing my way out of the car when I heard someone say, “John, hey John-boy!” Then I heard grumbled swear words spoken in Finnish. I couldn’t believe my ears, that had to be Toivo Makinen, but what was he doing in Pennsylvania? As I turned around, sure enough there was the man who had been my first foreman as a Rodbuster. His work belt still slung down below his bulbous gut and his red nose lit up like it was Christmas. He was waving his hand and grinning a toothless grin. No doubt about it, Toivo was outside the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I had to hear this story.
As I cut through the guys heading in the other direction I finally made my way to him and as soon as I was in arms reach was in a bear hug so tight, I felt my eyeballs bulging. After more good-natured swearing and back-slapping I was able to get him at arms-length long enough to ask the obvious question, “What are you doing so far from the happy hunting grounds?” But he didn’t answer me directly just said, “I got to get on that elevator, boyka! I am staying at the “Long Tree” down by the river, quickly giving me an address. Come by this evening before you go on shift and we will catch up, for sure!” With that he hauled his massive body into the car just as the door was closing. I watched as he headed up, shaking my head in disbelieve, I headed to my truck.
Toivo Makinen was a living legend. I had heard stories about him before I was sent out to the job where he had been boss for the last couple of years and I was terrified to be working for him. As soon as I arrived on site with my brand-new work belt, he was on me before I even showed him my ticket from the Union Hall. Swearing up a storm in both English and Finnish then right in my face, “Don’t be worrying about those shiny new tools you have there, boyka, won’t be needing them where you be working. Stand over by that pile of rods until I come get you, I need to talk to these Ironworkers over here.” With that he turned and yelled orders to his crew. I knew I would have to work my way to being included in that group. I was right it would be months before I would strap on my belt. Tiovo was loud and he was as mean as he talked, but he taught me more in 6 months then I could have learned in years. When I left that job I was a Rodbuster in his eyes and that was good enough for me.
When I drove by his place that afternoon and stood knocking on his door, there was no answer at first. Then I heard him growl, “Ok, Ok, I am coming! And when the door flew open, I saw something I was not expecting, Tiovo was hooked up to a machine and I could see what I hadn’t in the morning. He looked pale and sick. As we talked I learned he was on dialysis and was here waiting for a kidney transplant. The more he talked the more dumbfounded I became. This bigger than life man was human after all.
I sometimes in the morning when I am not quite awake yet; for a few moments, I feel like a young man again, maybe I am dreaming about working and being so strong and healthy. But then I wake and reality as the years of abuse, cancer, and its treatments have taken their toll. Don’t get me wrong, I am the most blessed man I know. Over 12 years a cancer survivor, still able to do just about anything I want but I get so much more tired than I used to. Life is fragile, and it is short. But what I have come to realize is that it is not the time you have left but how you fill each minute that counts.
I like these verses from the book of Ephesians because they remind me not to waste time, “So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise but live wisely. Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. So, do not be foolish but learn what the Lord wants you to do.” (Ephesians 5: 15-17) Times are evil that is for sure and we have the choice to add to the evil or work for the Lord! In truth all of our times are short. I believe Jesus is coming soon and no matter if it is today or a hundred years from now, if we allow the Holy Spirit to use us like each minute is our last, we will be doing God’s will and that is what I want to be doing!
Tiovo never was able to get a kidney replacement and soon after I left him, still working on that jobsite, I heard he was rushed to the hospital and passed away. It was hard for me to imagine that strong man gone. But I look back on it now I know that was one of the first times I thought about how short life is. It did not change my lifestyle and I soon was sliding down the slippery slope of addiction. But with God’s grace, I now have a chance to do His will in whatever time I have. Death isn’t the problem its living we need help with. I trust in the Holy Spirit, how about you?
Blessings and Happy Sabbath,
John
10/5/18
