| Project by ardbeg | posted 390 days ago | 707 views | 1 time favorited | 7 comments |  |
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A week ago today I lost my dad to a heart attack. He was 75. He had been saving a number of 3’ long black walnut tree trunks and limbs for the past 20 years trying to decide what to do with them. I brought a bunch back with me on the drive home yesterday.
Today I figured what better way to honor his life and passing than to use some of the wood to make my mom something small that I could mail to her, I milled up one of the small split logs and went to work.
What I decided on was making a small box. I left some of the age damage on the top edge to symbolize the decay and and brokenness that the end of this life brings. The lid is made from a split section with a live edge, symbolizing life after death. Finished in wipe-on poly, symbolic of my dad’s quick finish (he went quick which is what he wanted) All told, it was a nice way to spend the evening working wood and thinking of dad.
Interestingly, the last time I saw my father was two weeks ago when he came to visit. We spent a few hours in the shop talking about hand made dovetails and trying my new chisels. A fond memory to have as my last.
Thanks for looking,
Gregg
-- You may delay, but time will not. --Ben Franklin
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7 comments so far
rdjack21
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254 posts in 1124 days
#1 posted 390 days ago
What a fantastic way to honor your dads life. I just love the thought that went into this project. I’m sure your mom will treasure it.
I would tell you how sorry I am to here of your loss but I’m just not sure how to exactly express how I feel because I’m still dealing with the loss of my father as well and this project and posting has left me reflecting on my loss and not yours. sorry.
-- --- Richard Jackson
ardbeg
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101 posts in 1225 days
#2 posted 390 days ago
Richard, thank you for your comments and I am sorry to hear about your father. Reflection is good, I found this project very cathartic, perhaps making something symbolic of your own would be helpful to you as well.
-- You may delay, but time will not. --Ben Franklin
bko
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103 posts in 1214 days
#3 posted 389 days ago
I am very sorry for your loss. You have created a wonderful tribute to your father—I am sure he would be proud.
—Brian
lumberjoe
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#4 posted 389 days ago
Great job. You can’t tell, but he is beaming with pride right now.
-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/KandJWoodCrafts
Jorge Velez
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325 posts in 783 days
#5 posted 389 days ago
My Friend, sorry for your lose, fortunately this is the best way to tribute his memory and knowing he will be part of your life every day watching you. very nice box and the top is very original.
-- Jorge Velez, Guadalajara, Mexico.
gfadvm
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6907 posts in 887 days
#6 posted 389 days ago
A nice tribute and a good story to go with it.
-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm
Lee A. Jesberger
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6525 posts in 2176 days
#7 posted 389 days ago
Hi Gregg;
Sorry about your loss. It sounds as though you have a great last memory to hold on to.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
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