Too Close to the Heart.

There is so much news coming out about layoffs, especially in my industry, home building, that news of one more home builder closing his doors shouldn't affect me. Today, a friend told me that a builder he used to work for, and that I know personally, closed his doors and laid off his entire staff this week. I cannot reveal his name to protect his dignity but I will tell you that I respect him. As do his peers. We'll call him Don.

Don's father died when he was the age of 9 and he went to work to help support his mother and siblings. He was denied a childhood from the fate that befell him but he never complained and he never felt cheated. I actually interviewed with Don when I first came back to Atlanta but as it turned out, a better offer seemed more enticing.

Most of Don's staff went back 20 years with him. He was honest, hardworking and he built a pretty dang good home. I do not doubt for a minute that Don will survive and come back stronger than ever. He is made of the right stuff.

It's interesting to see how people handle these type of things. When you're working, it's not quite as compelling. There is a website that cites failed builders. It gloats over the latest failure in the home building industry. I can't imagine applauding the failure of anyone who tries their heart out to make a small business work. According to the N. Y. Times this morning, it is expected that no less than 14,000 more small businesses will fail by the end of the year. Where is the joy in that?

Most of the trades that service me as a home builder are trying very hard to survive. My plumbing contractor laid off 14 so far this week. My electrical contractor is down from 100 employees and 50 trucks running to 5 employees and 4 trucks running (both down 1 from yesterday). More than half of the Latino workers are back south. New Permits that hit a high of almost 56,000 in Atlanta a couple of years ago are going to end up 2008 around 14,000, and it is expected that as few as 8,000 permits will be issued for new projects in 2009.

Believe me, I thank God every morning for the opportunity to do what I do, for as long as it exists. Those that have trumpeted "let the free market run its course" are getting their wish. I have always thought that way. I am quietly and reverently praying that we have neared the bottom and recovery is around the corner. There are so many that now have no option but to reinvent themselves, uproot their families and move, wipe out their savings and get out of bed every morning with hope for the future. God bless them.