21/03/2023
Community and Gratitude...
As a woodworker, I often spend countless hours alone in my shop performing many of the tasks required for a particular custom build. With so much of my time being solo, I am more grateful than ever for the community of makers I am privileged to know and call friends.
On January 10, 2023, I suffered a severely broken ankle and was not able to walk for six weeks, much less perform any task that was beyond typing and talking. Then came the recovery. Six to ten weeks is an eternity for a wood shop to have the lights off.
Post surgery, I received a call from my longtime friend and fellow craftsman, Brian Laak of Laak Woodworks . He called to check in on me and was quick to ask about any projects I had in process. Brian knows I work alone and have a family to support, so without hesitation and before I ever had a chance to explain the scope of work, he offered to take the job on and get me to the finish line. We had a ways to go, this was not a short race.
Brian and his team, John Goreski and Tom Cummings, were all in. Plans were drawn, materials delivered and cut sheets finalized. While I conducted the orchestra from my couch, leg up and laptop at the ready, these three performed their magic and they did it well.
I'm not sure I have the words here to thank these fine people. It's been a humbling experience to reach into my community and accept help. To witness their compassion for a fellow craftsman, fellow family man and fellow human, has truly been a gift.
As difficult as this experience has been, I honor the 'kick your ass' moment that just happened. For all of the tools we use to craft our work, I can't think of a better tool to have on hand than a kind heart.
Thanks to my extended team, I've been able to effectively heal and am continuing to recover. I'll be starting work in the shop again very soon, solo of course, with this picture proudly pinned on my wall.
Thanks fellas!
