Pete Gonzales

In June of 2016, I was performing lighting maintenance for a dear long-time client, Half Price Books, and had walked out to my truck for some wire nuts. I was locking up the big swinging back doors when I saw him locked on me. I stood in the heat of the Texas June sun on concrete of a vast parking lot in Mansfield.  He wore a kind smile, had warm energy, walked with a slight limp, and was just older than I, so I sensed I should lend him a minute. Turns out we share the passion of taming electricity into a useful source for the pleasure of our community. 

He had worked at the source of the energy in the power distribution side of things. He was now retired and had unfortunately let his Texas Master Electrician license lapse four years prior. He was currently aware of his mistake in letting go of that love of his life and was drawn to me for counsel. He wished to regain her and hang on this time as long as his grasp would hold. 

I loved the man for his love of the work and pointed him towards the light. I told him of my friends at the IAEI (International Association of Electrical Inspectors). I have been associated with them for several years and am a better man for it. I told Pete to look to them for a good thorough Master Electrician's course as would be required if he wished to prepare himself again for a shot at passing the dreaded 4 hour impossible test and obtain the prized Texas Master Electrican license. 

He was most appreciative of my advice and inquired if I enjoy my niche in this vast and mysterious business of power and light. I enjoy visiting most topics with many people but then a few peak words really spark the passions of my soul. "Graham" the beautiful two year old who loves me as Pops. "Christi" the woman I love. Thirty Seven years now. "Brad" my one and only who is #1 son and #1 daddy in my books. "The Business". ‌Ah, the business. The placement of power. The sculpting of light. The other love of my life. I fell for her before the woman. Forty years like the waters of a lazy river have flowed and still I love jumping into another lighting project as much or more than the first time. So, yes I assured Pete of my love for the business. My love of my work and of my clients. 

I made the right choice to pause for a moment and allow that connection with Pete. He had already presented the valuable reminder before he spoke the words in parting, "hold on and enjoy the work so you don't end up like me - just a shopper in the book store".

I thanked him for the reminder and assured him I enjoyed the best of both worlds. From atop an 8' step ladder while replacing fluorescent lamps and ballasts, a book on display will jump out at me from below. When I descend, another book gets placed on my lighting supply cart. And so at the end of the day I celebrate the experience of giving and receiving. I'll leave them with the lights on and an afterglow follows me deep into the long summer evening.