MY LIFE’S VOCATION….
Before their was a twinkle in
my eye
At first glance it may seem quite
strange that I work with wood. My
Mom is a teacher and my Dad is a
pastor. What a quite unlikely course
for their son.
Although my parents may not work
with wood, my Grandpa Raphael &
Grandpa Jordan were immersed in a
world of wood. Grandpa Raphael
was a lumber Industry giant and
Grandpa Jordan an extremely hard
working Logger. I also have a twin
brother who shares a love of
woodworking.
On my wife’s side of the family
“wood workers” are also abundant.
My father-in-law William Deeds has
worked in the flooring industry for
over 30 years, owning and operating
carpet & wood businesses in the
Fresno area. Also extraordinary is
Grandpa Filgas & Uncle Al who
immigrated from Czechoslovakia in
the 1920’s. Shortly thereafter they
began installing, scraping, &
finishing hardwood floors. Their
reputation for quality & reasonable
prices (5 cents per square foot)
rapidly traveled in the surrounding
area. Their business Filgas Carpets &
Floor Co., remains in the family and
is going strong some 80 years later.
I am honored to be placed in the
path of such great men.
THE FAMILY TREE
I can remember as a child loving the texture
and feel of real wood. On family vacations
it was my favorite routine to select the
perfect walking stick on hikes, not too short
& not too long. While Mom & Dad read
their vacation books I would whittle away
at pieces of timber from the forest with
grandpas vintage army pocket knife. “One
day” I thought, “when I’m grown up I’d
like to be a carpenter. I could even build my
own toys with wood.”
Well right now I am all grown up. And
while I don’t exactly build wood toys, I do
enjoy crafting beautiful hardwood floors.
Few things can compare to the sense of
gratification & accomplishment received
after a Raphael Hardwood Floor is
complete. There is something mysterious &
compelling about beauty only found in
As I write this I can glance and see my
daughter's toys dispersed across our own
wood floor. One day I hope she too will
appreciate the beauty of real wood. But for
now she’s content playing on our wood
floors. I’m content knowing that she’s
playing on the cleanest, most attractive,
environmentally conscious flooring
available. It’s a win-win.
I can remember as a child loving the texture
and feel of real wood. On family vacations
it was my favorite routine to select the
perfect walking stick on hikes, not too short
& not too long. While Mom & Dad read
their vacation books I would whittle away
at pieces of timber from the forest with
grandpas vintage army pocket knife. “One
day” I thought, “when I’m grown up I’d
like to be a carpenter. I could even build my
own toys with wood.”
Well right now I am all grown up. And
while I don’t exactly build wood toys, I do
enjoy crafting beautiful hardwood floors.
Few things can compare to the sense of
gratification & accomplishment received
after a Raphael Hardwood Floor is
complete. There is something mysterious &
compelling about beauty only found in
As I write this I can glance and see my
daughter's toys dispersed across our own
wood floor. One day I hope she too will
appreciate the beauty of real wood. But for
now she’s content playing on our wood
floors. I’m content knowing that she’s
playing on the cleanest, most attractive,
environmentally conscious flooring
available. It’s a win-win.
“Whatever you are by nature, keep to it; never desert your line of talent. Be what nature intended you for and you will succeed. “ Sydney Smith (1771 - 1845) |
nature.
Breaking down barriers imposed by suburban existence force us to reunite
life with life, beauty with appreciation, & love with worth. I have been
blessed to participate in this interchange. Viewing time & time again this
magical transformation.
There is a joy that comes with the opportunity to share. There is dignity in
this practice. From the lush Brazilian Rainforest to the Berkshire Hills of
Massachusetts, From Tree to shimmering Tree, We have an obligation to
appreciate. This motivates me. It drives me forward.
I want you to not simply “look & Like” what you see. I want you to
treasure the beauty of your floor like a cherished family heirloom. I want
you to pick & choose favorite boards within your Raphael Hardwood
Floor. Look ever so closely at the tightly wound burls, auburn mineral
deposits, & three dimensional quarter sawn grain. Realizing that like a
fingerprint, your floor could never have been created by man, industry, or
capitalist ingenuity. Your floor indeed bears the signature, the fingerprint
of Divinity.
Breaking down barriers imposed by suburban existence force us to reunite
life with life, beauty with appreciation, & love with worth. I have been
blessed to participate in this interchange. Viewing time & time again this
magical transformation.
There is a joy that comes with the opportunity to share. There is dignity in
this practice. From the lush Brazilian Rainforest to the Berkshire Hills of
Massachusetts, From Tree to shimmering Tree, We have an obligation to
appreciate. This motivates me. It drives me forward.
I want you to not simply “look & Like” what you see. I want you to
treasure the beauty of your floor like a cherished family heirloom. I want
you to pick & choose favorite boards within your Raphael Hardwood
Floor. Look ever so closely at the tightly wound burls, auburn mineral
deposits, & three dimensional quarter sawn grain. Realizing that like a
fingerprint, your floor could never have been created by man, industry, or
capitalist ingenuity. Your floor indeed bears the signature, the fingerprint
of Divinity.
Raphael Hardwood Flooring specializes in the custom Installation, Sanding, Refinishing & Repair of genuine hardwood floors.
Raphael Hardwood Flooring proudly serves the Lodi, Woodbridge, Stockton & surrounding central California communities.
Joshua R. Raphael - Proprietor & Contractor License # 797226 Office: 209.366.0664 Fax: 209.366.0554 P.O. Box 598 Woodbridge, CA 95258
Raphael Hardwood Flooring proudly serves the Lodi, Woodbridge, Stockton & surrounding central California communities.
Joshua R. Raphael - Proprietor & Contractor License # 797226 Office: 209.366.0664 Fax: 209.366.0554 P.O. Box 598 Woodbridge, CA 95258
