Not For Sale

[papasar]

I interview physically and mentaly disabled clients for a large national law firm to decide if we will take their case. I always keep some of my carvings displayed in my office. Chipcarvings, woodspirits, gnomes, crosses etc. Many clients notice them right away and I get a few minutes promote carving. The clients seem to relax and talk like we were old friends. It works for me and makes my job a lot easier. I noticed that most people break out in a grin when they see the gnomes, especially one that is a variation of an Al Streetman pattern. Some say they saw it on TV, in ads, it brings out the kid in me etc. This alone makes this gmome my favorite but an event occured that made him priceless.
A client was brought into my office by her sister who was a NYC detective. She informed me that her sister was in deep depression and had not spoken for 2 weeks. The client sat staring at the floor in an almost catatonic state. I was challenged with "maybe you can get her to speak" by the sister. I wasn't sure about that but my grandfatherly instincts must have kicked in. I reached around and grabbed the gnome. When I told her I had carved it, I got her attention and she looked at it with a very slight grin. I proceeded to tell her a story that I made up as I went along. I pointed out the curve in his back and his up-turned toes and told her he had motion. He was rocking on his heels. I asked her if she knew why and by now I had her complete attention, she answewer "no". The supposedly first words in 2 weeks. I continued to tell her he had a silly hat, polka dot socks, split his pants and was holding them up with his hands in his pocket and had a twinkle in his eye. The punch line was that he was happy inside because he had a good self image and didn't give a spit what anyone else thought. With that she burst ou laughing and continued to talk to me for the rest of the interview. She seemed like a different person and her sister was in tears. She might have gone back into her shell after she left, but for that short time me and my little buddy were able to distract her. It seems har to believe that her Psychiatrist couldn't break through her shell but a little carved gnome shown to her with genuine caring did the trick. I sat and cried a bit when they left because I know the words of the story did not come from me. I felt very humbled and take no credit.
So that is why my litte friend is NOT FOR SALE.

A great carving but a greater story, thanks for sharing both.

One can slap a price on a carving any time, but the real value of true inner satisfaction that a carving can bring to someone is "Priceless", again thanks.

[Thor]

What a wonderful story. Thanks for that.
Thor

[squbrigg]

Well done. Both the carving and the use of the carving. Great "ice breaker" !

Bob

[Callynne]

What a great experience you had, thank you so much for sharing it with us! Both it and your carving made me smile and warmed my heart! Thanks again! Callynne

[Lightningbolt]

Thanks for sharing that story. There is surely nothing that has the ability to invoke the human spirit more than a handmade carving.

Each year at Christmas I always try to give my brother, who is a counselor for a mental health firm in Boston, a carving from my collection. He also keeps a couple of my small totem poles in his office and has often told me stories similar to yours about how it had a positive effect on a client. He has even used the carvings in some way as part of the therapy.

Perhaps because a carving is so obviously handmade that folks from all walks of life look at them in a special way. Woodcarving is therapy for me whether just observing a carving or actually partaking in the carving process.

Thanks again for taking time to share!