So I started a new book, and I am excited. It's been a slow start, as this will be my first book, and I am not using a ghostwriter. I just got done with my preface and want to share it with you. Please leave a comment and let me know how this makes you feel. Would you read it?
The book is my memoir; if successful, it may be a short series of three books. It is about how I became a successful woman in the trades—a woman in a man's world. I appreciate it!
So here it goes...
Death...
The opposite of life. The undoing of all of the work and memories built over a lifetime and a strange and perhaps macabre way to start a book. At 54 years of age, I am deemed middle-aged. When you get to this stage in life, you begin to feel death more often and more intensely. It starts with the death of older family members- grandparents, then parents, friends, and siblings. Suddenly, you realize you have passed the point of no return. You know that middle age is deceptive; you surpassed that milestone two decades ago and get closer to it with every breath you take and beat of your heart.
Why am I mentioning death In my memoir? Death erases everything, a force that wipes the slate clean. Knowledge, a hard-earned reputation, wealth, and a thriving business all succumb to its grasp. For many, it's gone forever. Mention someone who died a decade or more ago, and you might witness a twinkle of nostalgia, sparking conversations about their remarkable deeds or impact. Conversely, a blank stare might meet the mention of someone forgotten entirely.
For instance, my grandfather, Clifford Crone, died in 2013, yet his name, for most, still elicits fond recollections of a man who shared the fruitage from his Garden or who loved to share God's word with others... Mostly, though, his legacy was in construction. He was a shrewd businessman. Most apartment buildings and bank buildings that were built before 1980 in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area were built by his company.
But how much longer will his name endure? Those older buildings are gradually being replaced. His descendants are all middle-aged and beyond. His great-grandchildren knew him for only a short while, and that was after his sage advice, and his memory had started to fade into a dementia-like disorder.
Grandpa is the cornerstone of my success as a contractor. He was my mentor and saving grace when times were difficult; He was the one I could always count on to tell me what I needed to hear, even if it wasn't always pleasant. He guided me through challenges I faced in a male-dominated field. He also worried about me. He knew that even though times were changing, there were still people out there who would hate that a woman was running a man's business. And they did. Even now, in 2023, I encounter doubters who question my abilities despite the many years I spent working alongside my team. I handle each situation with grace when possible and toughness when necessary. Something I learned not only from my Grandpa but through life experiences.
Grandpa is gone now, and his legacy dims as the structures he erected face transformation or demolition—death strips away our power, our knowledge, our wisdom. We can only hope that others continue to pass it along for us. This is the reason I share this memoir with you. It is my contribution - a glimpse into a journey through life in a male-dominated world, the challenges that must be overcome in business and life to make it a success, a narrative that empowers women to navigate the challenges and leave an indelible mark.
One day, I know I will be reunited with Grandpa again, and we will reminisce about a distant memory in the tapestry of time. Until then, I invite you to savor this book and pass it on. My appreciation is eternal.
"...When I reflected on all the works that my own hands had done and on all the hard work
that I had toiled to accomplish, I saw everything was futile,
a chasing after the wind..."
Ecclesiastes 2:11
IIY
Wondered about your comments about death in the beginning, but reading further it all came together. Well said! Look forward to reading your book.
Awesome start ! Looking forward to reading the full book . My total respect for running a successful masonry business in what is definitely a male dominated trade .
Also for putting your journey in words .
Im 66 and ready to slow down some . Hoping the big guy allows me time to put together my own story . Albeit somewhat less exciting I’m sure my grand children would enjoy reading it . ❤️ dd