Sadness

[jo4hn]

In our three years here in our mountain hamlet, we have made many friends. One couple lives a few houses down the street from us. They are both in their late 80s but very active. He is a woodworker and artist of local renown.

Unfortunately, they and their children have decided that it is time that they move back to Los Angeles where, presumably, they can have closer access to doctors and the aid of family. He has sold his equipment to a mutual friend (excellent choice) and has given his wood leftovers to me. I am honored and saddened by the whole procedure. Their house is sold and his workshop will become a rumpus room by the new owners. We will welcome them and bemoan our loss. And we will think of our own mortality. sigh, jo4hn

[Morris Dovey]

| In our three years here in our mountain hamlet, we have made many | friends. One couple lives a few houses down the street from us. | They are both in their late 80s but very active. He is a | woodworker and artist of local renown. | | Unfortunately, they and their children have decided that it is time | that they move back to Los Angeles where, presumably, they can have | closer access to doctors and the aid of family. He has sold his | equipment to a mutual friend (excellent choice) and has given his | wood leftovers to me. I am honored and saddened by the whole | procedure. Their house is sold and his workshop will become a | rumpus room by the new owners. We will welcome them and bemoan our | loss. And we will think of our own mortality. sigh,

Perhaps you can find some consolation in using a bit of the wood he's left you to make some small, special gift to give in return - and there's nothing to prevent you from inviting him to visit and share your shop for an occasional weekend of shavings and sawdust (and old times).

How much sadder it would be, if no one were sad about his moving away...

-- Morris Dovey DeSoto Solar DeSoto, Iowa USA

[charlie b]

Your cup ain't half empty, it's more than half full.

Think of all the wood dorkers out here who haven't had a neighbor like him. Be grateful for having encountered such a person and hopefully learned more than just some woodworking things. I suspect he also gave you some ideas of how to be when you're

70 , or, with luck, 80.

Every day we are given and make memories. If you pay attention, you can make some good ones, for yourself and others. Sounds like that old galoot provided you with some that'll keep popping up long after he's gone - from down the street as well as from this little blue ball in space.

So count your blessings instead of sheep and I guaranttee you'll sleep a whole lot better.

charie b

[Swingman]

No lectures from this end ... just a tip of the hat for the fine expression of human sentiment, and a 'thanks' for sharing it.

[mac davis]

I feel your pain, john... but it's gonna happen to all of us that are unlucky enough to die of old age...

Take comfort in knowing that you had a good friend that gave you comfort... and as hard as it is to admit to yourself, (unless you have a HUGE ego), you gave him friendship and comfort also...

I second the gift idea... it might make him miss his shop a little, but that will be a small hurt when compared to the memories and warm fuzzies that gift will create.... and for many years, I hope..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

[Allyn Vaughn]

One of the unfortunate realities of living out away from it all is that the services are also away from you as well. I have seen this same situation occur now on it's third generation where my parents cabin is in the Yosemite area. It is a small community that once thrived with retired couples that eventually realized they could no longer handle the task of the 1 hour trips up and down the mountain to the services (doctor, grocery store, etc.) and had to move closer to it all. Not to mention the difficulty of the chores around the cabin/house (firewod gets very hard to manage when you are in your mid

80's). The second wave of retired couples have now begun their migration back leaving a gap for the third wave to fill. Each wave takes on it's own personalities with the different people. I will likley be in that third or fourth wave as while it is certainly a temporary assingment, life is just that. I wish your friends well, stay in touch with them and get to know the new people.

Allyn