FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction ↗

The stronger person

Words: Jennifer Morrell/Public/News/20120407070000-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="Experiences have made me a stronger person." />
Experiences have made me a stronger person.
I have journeyed through some difficult times in life. Some of those difficulties were the results of my own doing - foolish decisions or poor choices. And some of those difficulties weren't my fault at all. Situations happened, and I soldiered through.

I have been told on more than one occasion that, in many ways, I should be grateful for any challenges in my life, since the experiences have made me a “stronger person.” That two-word description always has irritated me: stronger person. What does that mean? And how would anyone be able to judge if I actually were “stronger” for having weathered a personal storm? To me, the whole “stronger person” thing just sounded like one of those trite expressions people use to transition to another conversation. That is, until recently.

I was watching a documentary about a recovering drug addict. The lady was about 40 and had a 17-year-old daughter. When the girl was interviewed, she gave a tear-filled account of what life had been like with a drugged-up mother. She said she still was bitter and a little angry toward her mother. Then it happened: The interviewer asked the girl if she thought going through this experience had made her a stronger person. There it was again, that expression I despised!

But her answer changed the way I see the enduring of life's struggles. She said the experience gave her the wisdom and strength to guide others in the same situation. So, yes, she supposed she was a stronger person. Advising other kids who have or had drug-addicted parents was something she could do, probably better than anyone.

I started thinking about what unique lessons my life has carved, and how no other person in the world shares my exact shade of wisdom. And, without even realizing it, the stronger person inside me raises her head anytime I need her. Whether it's being a rock for a friend or family member, or just making it through a trying, hectic week.

Think about the last four years - how the economy has changed, and how different business is today from 2008. The industry is starting to turn in a positive direction, but most folks agree that our “new normal” will be quite different from anything we've ever known.

So, with what you have been through - keeping your company on its feet, continuing to employ as many of your staff members as possible, and hanging on until things got better - are you a stronger person? What can you teach the next generation? What have you learned that you can apply to your life in the future? Think about it; I am guessing you've learned more than you initially thought.
 0
The Enduring Aesthetic Power of Brick
March 2026

For centuries, brick has shaped the built environment in ways that few materials can match. From the stately facades of historic campuses to the bold, contemporary forms of modern civic buildings, brick is both a foundation of architectural tradition and

Tim Leese
MAP Partner
Read More
Expert Tips for Brick Installation
March 2026

Clay brick has long been valued for both its durability and aesthetic appeal, but achieving a clean, consistent build that will endure for a lifetime depends just as much on jobsite discipline, install strategy, and preventative moisture management as it

Allison Goley
Technical Talks
Read More
OSHA’s 2025 Top Violations: What the Numbers Reveal for Masonry and Construction
March 2026

Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes its list of the most frequently cited workplace safety standards based on federal inspection data. The purpose is simple: show employers where hazards are consistently being fou

Greg Brown
MAP Partner
Read More
Combining Modern Healthcare with Tribal Design: Nisqually Health & Wellness Center
March 2026

The Nisqually Health & Wellness Center is a project that the wonderful team here at Warfield Masonry completed in 2020. Built on the Nisqually Reservation (near Olympia, Washington), this project incorporates a variety of masonry materials into its tribal

Jake Sulya
Case Study
Read More