‘All I needed to hear’

My counterpart, construction manager John White, said it perfectly after the Dunker family went into their 100 percent completed home Friday morning at 10 a.m. The family opened the front door and literally screamed with joy, and John looked at me and said, "That's all I needed to hear, I can go home now." He and I stood there a moment in front of our three townhouses, physically and mentally drained, trying to hold back our emotions.

We composed ourselves, with quite a bit of difficulty, for the 11 a.m. dedication. Now, all the energy and the excitement and the hoopla from the week is over. There is no more hum of the generators or air compressors; the contractors have gone home; the hospitality tent, tables and chairs are wrapped up and stowed away. All that stands quietly behind are three new homes for three more families to call their own. That's got to make you smile...

- Dave Guttman