There's something sad

whitecree · #1 08-05-2006, 12:26 PM

when an old carver decides it is time to quit.

My big brother is an old carver in both senses of the word. He has been carving his entire life - carved his first bowl at the tender age of 6 - and is now 78.

He has, I suppose, good reason to quit. About a year ago, his right eye stopped working. About a month ago, we think he may have had a minor stroke, if the word "minor" can be used when talking about a stroke.

In any event, he no longer carves, and has begun giving some of his tools away to his kids, grand-kids and nephews/nieces. He still takes an interest, but no longer carves.

It's a rainy, gloomy day here today, so maybe this is why I bring up such a gloomy subject. Sorry people.

jillsy · #2 08-05-2006, 12:55 PM

Sorry, Whitecree.

But ya know, the fact that he's giving away his tools to the ones he loves is almost like "Passing the torch." Maybe some of his kids or grandkids will have the same passion and carve for the next 60 years. And someday they'll pass on their tools. And the circle of life continues.

Keep the Faith,
Jillsy

Kenny_S · #3 08-05-2006, 01:33 PM

indeed for ypur brother, but Jillsy is correct, He is "passing on the torch" to his children and Grandchildren. Hopefully, They tke the torch and run with it.
My regards to you and your brother.

Nancy_G · #4 08-05-2006, 03:27 PM

Best wishes, kind thoughts and prayers to your brother and entire family.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #5 08-05-2006, 04:56 PM

It is kind of sad, like going to an estate sale and seeing people rummage thru a mans tools! But in this case, he has reason to quit and might just be tired of it.....but on the good side like what was said, he is giving the tools to someone he can oversee and guide and direct in their use! Maybe a whole lot more will come from him and his tools than before!!

Colin_Partridge · #6 08-05-2006, 06:44 PM

Sorry to hear about your brother Whitecree. It is sad when someone you love decides that it is no longer possible to carry on with something you all know he loved to do. But just maybe one of the kids or grandchildren will take an interest one day. The tools may sit in a bottom drawer somewhere for a while but one day someone will get curious and start to use them again. A few years ago I purchased a pile of Pheil tools from a gentleman by the name of George Manning. George passed away with ALS but every time I pick up one of his tools I think of him. I also never erased his name from the tool rolls they came in. It is kind of spiritual but maybe he just guides my hand sometimes when I am carving.
Colin

squbrigg · #7 08-06-2006, 08:21 AM

Whitecree, I am sorry to hear that your brother has had to give up carving, but he is doing the right thing. If he kept his tools, they would torment him just by sitting there. This way he encourages a new generation to take up the craft and bring joy to their lives. That is the bigger gift!

A gentleman and his wife did a similar thing to me lately. He was a life time woodworker and has had to make that same decision because of a disability. His wife returned here to their summer home and on his instruction, contacted me to inquire if I would accept the scraps of wood he had in his shop. (They were perfect size for my ship models.) He also passed on to me some assorted tools, sandpapers/film and other odds and ends, and some very valuable information on finishing.

I hope that when it's my turn, that I can pass the same gifts on to someone who will value them as much as I do. My little granddaughter (age almost 5) already has the interest, so the future looks promising.

Bob

whitecree · #8 08-06-2006, 10:55 AM

Thanks all. I know why he is giving it up, and indeed, some of his kids have been carving for a bunch of years already. One or two make a living at it down in Vancouver. His entire family is very artistically inclined.

(sigh)

Life goes on.

On a brighter note - sort of - he is now using my hands to create a new D-adze for another of his grand-kids.

Just Carving · #9 08-06-2006, 12:48 PM

Whitecree,

I'm sorry to hear your brother has taken ill, and giving up carving. The first thing I thoght was "Well, is there something else that he can do with his experience and talents that he has gained through all his years of carving?" I couldn't answer that, but now it looks like he has. Encourage him to keep at making the tools--even if it is slow and maybe not so successful at first. He NEEDS to stay active both physically and mentally. My Dad is 85 and he has lung disease. Even though, he stays as active as he can. He may take a bit longer to get where he's going, but he goes. And if there's anything that needs to be modified so that he can stay active, I take care of it for him, or I think of a way around the obstacle. So, hopefully, with encouragement, ingenuity, and prayer, your brother will keep right on going, too.

BTW, my sister-in-law suffered a major stroke about 8 years ago--she was a recovery room nurse, and in her early forties at the time. The first night I saw her, she was only able to move her eyes erratically. Over the years, through therapy and hard work, she has progressed to the point where she can stand unassisted, and is now working on walking again. So, as I said, with hard work, ingenuity, and prayer, anything is possible. I wish you and your brother better health and good luck!

santagibbs · #10 08-06-2006, 01:50 PM

Whitecee I am truly sorry about your Brother.. It brings back many sad memories to me of a year and a half ago. My husband ( Curtis) had Pulmonary Fibrosis and he was on oxygen for three years but would not let anything stop him from caving.. He got so short of breath that he couldn't go upstairs to the studio and so we made a box where he could carve downstairs in front of the television.. He had been carving a few minutes and then cut himself very badly.. I felt terrible that I had encouraged him to keep carving . I put his tools up and the stained Santa..( which I have to this day) and we didn't mention carving again.. A few days before he passed away, our Grandson came with a great big peace of basswood and said.. Big Daddy, I am going to carve you with your arm around a big Santa. I looked at Curtis, ( like now get out of here.. never can Jacob do that) and Curtis looked at Jacob and said.. You can do it Jacob, I know that.. Jacob started on the carving right away but Curtis never got to see it.. Well, I think he knows now though... Curtis was 76 at that time. It turned out very well and even looks like Curtis.. I just couldn't believe it .. *It even has his big old arms and big hands.. He gave Jacob his best carving knife at the time.. When Jacob was fourteen , he carved a few simple Santa's with him.. Jacob was twenty seven when he passed away and had not carved but one Santa before this.
Of course Curtis didn't have a clue that I would be trying to carve so I have all his other knives and gouges.. but have bought Jacob some more new knives and gouges along with some roughouts!

Your brother knows his strength and how he feels.. I am sure it gives him great pleasure to give his things to those he wants to Bless.. and also to be very glad that he had a lifetime of carving.. Try and think of the what the time has now brought to him and he is trying to let go and needs everyones support to do so.. God Bless you and your Brother.. Charlotte I will see if I can post Jacob's carving that he made of Curtis..