| Project by Paul Pomerleau | posted 127 days ago | 794 views | 4 times favorited | 10 comments |  |
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Before you say anything, no… that’s not Alice in the picture, that’s me.
I often go to an old age home several cities away, to see my in-laws.
While there I met this little old lady in a wheelchair, her name was Alice.
She must have taken to me, as she would always ask me to bring her to the lunch room and to sit with her.
I asked her what she has been doing and she told me that she was praying to die.
She asked me what I was doing and I said that I’m currently going through my second mid-life crisis and I bought a motorcycle and am currently taking lessons.
She said she would love to have a picture of me with my bike.
I told her that I would make her a nice frame if she would not pray to die.
She agreed.
I tried researching all types of frames, but couldn’t find one that stood out.
I had to make one that sat on a shelf since I guess we were not allowed to put nails on the walls.
Finally I just decided to “go with the flow” and build from the bottom up.
This is what I ended up with, made from birds-eye maple.
I gave it to her at Christmas and she loved it.
Alas, I found out last week that she is no longer with us.
I don’t know what happened to the picture, as I’m sure her next of kin was called to empty the room, and I don’t think anyone would know who it is in the picture.
She had it for a month and I don’t know her family or where she lived, but I will always remember Alice.
-- Close to Ottawa Ontario Canada
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10 comments so far
a1Jim
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87269 posts in 1748 days
#1 posted 127 days ago
You offered the best gift ever, your time and caring. The picture was a nice touch too,well done.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
Gene Howe
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3197 posts in 1599 days
#2 posted 127 days ago
Beautiful frame and a more than beautiful story!
You made her last days joyful.
Keep the rubber side down.
-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
MonteCristo
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2061 posts in 359 days
#3 posted 127 days ago
Touching story, nice frame.
-- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe""
~Julie~
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#4 posted 127 days ago
Awww, nice story.
Perhaps she took it with her?
-- ~Julie~ followyourheartwoodworking.blogspot.ca
Hawken
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23 posts in 136 days
#5 posted 127 days ago
Well done. And I am not talking about the beautiful frame.
-- Who is John Galt?
Dusty56
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10516 posts in 1859 days
#6 posted 127 days ago
Her prayers were finally answered and she is at peace now.
You were so kind to give of yourself to Alice like that.
The frame is very well made and was a great gift for her very last Christmas : )
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
Monte Pittman
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7070 posts in 509 days
#7 posted 127 days ago
That’s simply wonderful. Very few would have your strength.
-- Mother Nature created it, I just assemble it. - It's not ability that we often lack, but the patience to use our ability
gfadvm
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6650 posts in 861 days
#8 posted 127 days ago
That was a wonderful gesture to a lonely old woman. You will be repaid for your kindness, I’m sure.
-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm
JR45
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409 posts in 483 days
#9 posted 126 days ago
You brought some sunshine into her life. That was good.
Jim
-- It always looks better when it's finished!
Belg1960
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507 posts in 1236 days
#10 posted 126 days ago
Charma is a great leveler in life Paul, you have balanced the scales in your favor for sure!!!
-- ***Pat*** Rookie woodworker looking for an education!!!
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