Every time that a loved one dies, I try to learn a lesson from their life. I lost Walter last week. He lived across the street from me for twenty nine years. Walter loved cars as much as I love wood. I was amazed over the years to see him buy an old sports car, completely disassemble the thing and literally kept the parts in baggies as he worked day after day to create a beautiful refinished car. He had tools that I had never seen before. He introduced me to the sandblaster to remove rust and clean up metal. He taught me finishing skills that I use to this day. He taught me to be more flexible and resourceful when approaching a build. Everyday he came over to see what I was working on and I was over at his garage watching his work too. Our work defined us and bond us together. We were kindred spirits and what a blessing that was. So when Walter bought an ‘72 MGB at age 85, it never occurred to me that he wouldn’t finish that car. A year into the work, he had a stroke that damaged his vision. He was as bull-headed as I am and tried to work around it, which frustrated him. When his doctor took away his driver’s license, it was another blow- still he kept trying to work….. then his heart began to fail and he got weaker and weaker. The car sat and was never finished. I know that was a thorn in his side. It would have been for me as well.
It is true that we never know when our days on this earth will cease, but like Walter, I just want to finish what I start. I decided that since I am in good health and statistically speaking should have a minimum of seven great years left that I need to establish an end point. I need to be the one to say, “I’m done.” I don’t want a disease or illness to make that decision for me. For the next seven years, I plan to work hard to empty my mind of all the projects that I’m itching to tackle. This all reminds me of sports stars, who choose to end the game when they are on top. I understand that logic. There’s a time for everything and some time that cycle passes.
What do you think?
Crafty Puzzles
