“I started fishing at the bay when I was about 18. I am 62 now and still love to fish. I catch redfish, sheepshead, and black drums with shrimp. Going home with fish in the cooler is a good day. I cook them up and share them with older neighbors who are like second mothers to me. They will be looking out the window and waiting for me this afternoon. They are good people, and I love to see the smile on their faces.

It’s good to get outside and enjoy the moments. Sometimes I’ll see an old friend I haven’t seen in five or 10 years, and we’ll catch up. I’ve also seen manatees so big that I thought they would knock the pier down.

I learned how to fish from the man who taught me how to lay bricks. He was my mentor and passed his trade to me when I came out of high school—like I was one of his kids. I still lay bricks around Mobile. The secret is to start on a corner and let it work out. I also lay stone. I look at every job as a work of art with a talent God gave me. I raised my six kids by laying bricks. It’s hard work, but it’s been a blessing.

I’m also a lay speaker at my church. The church is just a building.  True church is in the heart. It’s our love for one another and how we share what we have. That’s how we are supposed to live.”

Albert

Albert’s story is part of the annual Souls series of The Weavers. The Weavers stitch together the fabric of society as many forces rip it apart. They create gardens that change the heart of a neighborhood and feed elderly neighbors. They help others transition from addiction to recovery or care for children who go to school hungry. If you know a Weaver who is making your corner of the world better, send a message with their name and a little bit about them.