When A Piece Makes You Sad

When A Piece Makes You Sad · 01-19-2008, 11:51 AM

A few years ago my oldest son (now 10) noticed an elderly lady in our church had been using an old shoebox for a footstool on Sunday mornings because her feet didn't reach the floor. Well, he and several other boys sat with her every morning before going down to children's church and she had become a dear friend to them all. It didn't hurt that she always had gum!

Anyway, he told me "we" needed to make her a real footstool. So, we did just that. Funny part of the story is that I actually made it a bit too high and had to go back and cut it again, which was no small feat because of how it was built. Anyway, she loved it of course and used it every Sunday.

Well, she passed away Thursday night. She will be sorely missed by my family. Worst part for me was yesterday. I went to the church to pick up a bench used by our pianist that had a leg falling off so I could fix it. Well, when I went in, the first thing I see is Mildred's footstool sitting in her "spot". I almost cried right there. As much as I hate to admit it, I don't know if I can let it stay there for ithers to use. But, knowing Mildred, she would want it to stay and be used by anyone who needed it.

As simple a project as it was (barely took me a week from start to finish) and though it wasn't my most difficult or complicated peice, it was probably the one woodworking project I loved most. Mainly because it was made with love for someone we all loved and we knew she really appreciated it. It was also the first project my oldest son and I did together. He has really taken to woodworking since then and wants to be in the shop with me every chance he gets.

Doesn't make it any easier to see it and I am sure tomorrow will be difficult again.

cskipper · 01-19-2008, 11:56 AM

Think of how much she loved not only having it to use, but how proud and important it made her feel that you made it for her. You might want to put it in a different place, but I bet she'd want it available for someone else in need. You all did a really good thing.

FuzzWuzz16 · 01-19-2008, 10:14 PM

Jon,
Those magic moments only happen to people who care. It is a real bonus that you now have your son wanting to spend more time in the shop.

My guess is that you are right on target that she would have wanted it to be used by anyone who needed it. Her spirit will be there tomorrow and every time the little stool awaits the person who needs it.

Thank you for sharing it with us,
Jim

childe · 01-19-2008, 10:57 PM

everyone has a gift, and when that gift is used to glorify God it's even better. We should all look for every opportunity to use our skills for such a purpose. My sympathy to you in your loss.

Chris

DaveO · 01-19-2008, 11:27 PM

What a wonderful story. I don't know if I should smile or weep. I am really happy to hear that your son might have found an interest in woodworking and that is something that you can enjoy with him. It is also touching to hear of kids now days actually caring about the "elderly" that can be such special people in their lives. I am sorry to hear of Mildred's passing. But I am generally a happy person so I am going to smile, and you should too. You got a good kid, and you brought happiness and appreciation to a special persons life.
Dave

Douglas Robinson · 01-19-2008, 11:45 PM

Jon:

Why not take it back and burn or carve into it some where "Made with love for Mildred_____, (the date made) by Jon & (son's name)"

I am sure you got more out of this than you put into it.

You're a good man,

Doug

Ray Martin · 01-20-2008, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by DaveO

What a wonderful story. I don't know if I should smile or weep. I am really happy to hear that your son might have found an interest in woodworking ...

I agree with the other posters to this thread; this is a wonderful story. It was a nice way for me to start my day as I get ready for church.

I'd like to add to DaveO's words. It's terrific to find a common interest with your son or to have him take an interest in your love of woodworking... it's all the more terrific because of why he needed to work with you on the foot rest.

Ray

LeftyTom · 01-20-2008, 12:09 PM

Jon, you brightened her final days, and you cannot do much better than that.

Littlejon · 01-20-2008, 10:13 PM

Thanks for the kind words, folks! Believe me, it has been a big loss to a lot of people because she was such a wonderful person. My son has really shown a lot of interest in woodworking lately and I love it. He has really been on my to let him help out with a present I am making for his little brother for his birthday. I am making him a paper football table. It isn't much, but a small (1'-6" x 2') plywood table that he can carry around and play paper football on. He LOVES paper football all of a sudden. Anyway, I will paint it green with white stripes for the lines and the end zone. It will be small enough for him to carry around and some coats of poly should make it slick enough to move the football around.

Douglas - I had thought of that, but I have never done anythign like that and I don't know if I could do it without really screwing things up! Still, I like the idea a lot and it is something I am seriously considering.

Part of the story I had not related was my last visit with her before she passed. I am a Deacon in my church and aside from visitation being one of the requirements for us, I knew I needed to go see her because she was so special to us. Well, the Sunday before she passed away, I went while not really having my mind in the right place and having too many other things going on to be focused on the visit. Well, she was obviously in pain from an infection and was very tired, so I knew it would be a short visit. When I asked her if there was anything I could do for her she asked me to recite the 23rd Psalm. In the single most embarassing moment of my life, I for got it! I had to apologize to her for failing in that moment of need and instead offered a prayer that I felt was not what she really needed. So, I left her very upset that I could not remember this passage and could not offer comfort to someone so dear. I spent the entire week making sure I knew it with the anticipation of visiting her again on Friday. Obviosuly, I didn't get that chance. I kept praying that God would let her know how sorry I was to have failed her in her time of need.

So, anyway, I got a call Friday night from her son asking me to be a pall bearer at the funeral tomorrow. I told him I would be honored. I realized after church today that since he was with her the day she died and had been with her that week, she had probably told him after my visit that she wanted me to be one of her pall bearers. Given that our last visit when she was in a lot of pain had not gone as I had hoped, it was an answer to my prayers.

Anyway, I appreciate the kind words and I took the stool out from under the pew this morning and put it away in a storage closet until I can talk to my pastor about what I should do. I am thinking about the engraving or maybe getting a small plaque to mount on it and then putting it back out for anyone to use. Regardless, it will always be a special piece and one I hope my son will also look back on with pride, knowign he had a part in making someone special to us smile.