I am so glad that Sandy keeps sending me reminders to be sure to get an article in the mirror for the end of season.  I always like to procrastinate until I'm almost out of time.  I believe that to be most people's human nature.  I want to reflect on that for a moment and share with you some of my thoughts for the 2005 construction season.  Usually this is where I tell you of all the jobs completed and the number of C/Y's poured or tons of asphalt laid.  I'm not going to do that this year.  This year-ending article has been very difficult for me to bring closure to.  Please bear with me while I share with you some of my thoughts. 

 Business-wise it has been one of Ames best years since I've been here and I was hired by Tom Manatt to come to Ames in 1990.  The 2005 season had quite a bit of carry over and new jobs were just beginning to open up.  Both asphalt and concrete looked to be very busy.  Spring lettings looked promising and the weather was beginning to break.  We were just back to full force when things took a major turn for the worse.   The month of April began a very difficult time for us all.  With the passing of Tom some things we all took for granted in the early years working for Manatt's are now dearly missed.  Lengthy conversations that would start on the subject of our business at hand and end up talking about issues with our kids, family or times gone by.   Lining up ski trips or hunting excursions with some of our preferred customers and making sure they felt appreciated.  Fun things that you just think are never going to end.  With Tom, Mike and John's passing many people "stepped up" to the challenge and practiced what we had been preached to for so many years.   I was amazed to see how each employee responded, in their own unique way, better than anyone could have imagined.  Crews bonded together, management embraced each other for the next task at hand.  I'm not saying we did everything right, but we did our best and learned from any mistakes.  With the passing of our friends and colleagues many things changed.  Many of us, at one time or another, sought sound advice from each of these three leaders.  I will and do truly miss each of them.  I've now personally witnessed the change and how Manatt employees, some friends and some strangers, took on the job at-hand.  Stronger relationships have developed and with everything that has been dealt to us this year I am very comfortable in our abilities as a construction company.   As a construction family I want to personally thank each and every employee for their efforts this year.  Your efforts have all been top-notch.  I especially want to thank your families for letting us borrow you for the 2005 construction season.   With the changing of time has also brought to us the "Changing of the Guard".   Merry Christmas to all of you and may God bless each and every one.  See you in the spring.