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We could use this forum topic to recount tales of our lost frinds.
There are times in your life when it’s OK to accept help or accept a gift, I believe. Many times when we grow we are temporarily poor.
“House-poor” after purchasing a house.
Short on income after the birth of a new child.
Tightening a belt when launching a new business, product, or venture.
I can’t recall exactly what had me down that year (I think it was the birth of our child) but things were grim and it was looking like a ramen birthday. All sorts of things got vetoed by the accountant (spouse).
Gunny stood up and for whatever reason said, you know what? That’s not cool, and I’m going to buy you that leather Apron you had on your birthday wishlist that you were talking about.
I was still building my shop at that time, very carefully purchasing each stupid little thing like life depended on it. Finding just the right German horsehair brush for sweeping away shavings, for example. Locating the real grain leather apron from traditional hand workers in Ecuador that made chisel rolls and sundry leather goods. None of these things were too terribly expensive but they were chosen to last a life-time.
I believe Gunny or another lumber jock at the time ended up buying the same apron and was not as impressed as I was with it (stating clearly and objectively that the front pockets had a tendency to fill with dust), but I like to think that Gunny knew what I was doing. I hand-selected legacy-quality goods at-cost on-budget from craftsman to build from the ground up.
Regardless of whether he is with us still or not, I won’t put words in his mouth or cogitate on motivations, but I must recount how he stood up and helped me in a time that was very influential. I still use that apron (it is in-fact a very heavy and thick leather that one can pass down for 100+ years, easily with little care), and hope that my son will grow into it and appreciate it as I do, even though he will never have been able to meet Gunny.
I am saddened I may never get the chance to thank him in-person, and so these words and the memories may have to suffice. They are beautiful memories though, as they are born of comradery in craft and fellowship in support.
There are times in your life when it’s OK to accept help or accept a gift, I believe. Many times when we grow we are temporarily poor.
“House-poor” after purchasing a house.
Short on income after the birth of a new child.
Tightening a belt when launching a new business, product, or venture.
I can’t recall exactly what had me down that year (I think it was the birth of our child) but things were grim and it was looking like a ramen birthday. All sorts of things got vetoed by the accountant (spouse).
Gunny stood up and for whatever reason said, you know what? That’s not cool, and I’m going to buy you that leather Apron you had on your birthday wishlist that you were talking about.
I was still building my shop at that time, very carefully purchasing each stupid little thing like life depended on it. Finding just the right German horsehair brush for sweeping away shavings, for example. Locating the real grain leather apron from traditional hand workers in Ecuador that made chisel rolls and sundry leather goods. None of these things were too terribly expensive but they were chosen to last a life-time.
I believe Gunny or another lumber jock at the time ended up buying the same apron and was not as impressed as I was with it (stating clearly and objectively that the front pockets had a tendency to fill with dust), but I like to think that Gunny knew what I was doing. I hand-selected legacy-quality goods at-cost on-budget from craftsman to build from the ground up.
Regardless of whether he is with us still or not, I won’t put words in his mouth or cogitate on motivations, but I must recount how he stood up and helped me in a time that was very influential. I still use that apron (it is in-fact a very heavy and thick leather that one can pass down for 100+ years, easily with little care), and hope that my son will grow into it and appreciate it as I do, even though he will never have been able to meet Gunny.
I am saddened I may never get the chance to thank him in-person, and so these words and the memories may have to suffice. They are beautiful memories though, as they are born of comradery in craft and fellowship in support.
