We lost two friends this week. Both were elderly and lived long and happy lives, but still, it gives one pause .... The first, Peggy, was the mother of friends we have known since the early 70's, (both of them, the friends and the mom), and the second, a client for both Kit and I and a woman totally involved in our local community who we encountered, going about town, many days a week. Both will be missed. I was asked by Peggy's family to make the box for her ashes, an act I consider a high honor. I have made a few 'funerary items' as I believe they are properly called, and each has been a thought provoking and meditative process, a time to reflect on who that person was, how they affected ours lives if I knew them well, and how I might live my life to reflect the values and knowledge gained from knowing them ... Just after I put the final coat of finish on Peggy's box, I looked out and saw a mink in the pond with a chipmunk in its mouth and reflected on the natural course of life ... We're here, we live and make an impact on others we come in contact with, we're gone, leaving behind little traces of ourselves with whoever we meet ...
Peggy's box ... simple and elegant, just like her ....
On our way to the service .... It was a beautiful day ...
Below are some other 'boxes' I have made for friends and family members over the last couple of years. We seem to be getting to 'that age' ....
This was my first casket, for my father, in 2006. I was sort of carried away by the thought of it and maybe went a bit overboard on the details ... Fortunately, I had a lot of help on this project ...Click the pictures to enlarge them ...
I was a bit more subdued when we all made my mother's casket last summer ...
This box was for Kit's mother's ashes ...
Painted pine and a fir top
Above, for another friend's mother ...
Writing this post made me think of a photo I took a few years back of some advice on how to live your life. It's from 1692 and it about sums things up for me. I took the photo at a client's house, shortly before his wife died, and I think of it often ... Worth a read .... click it
The closing's great ... 'Be careful,Strive to be happy' ...
I have written something about designing and making the dovetailed box above in the post below this one ...
Dan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blog. I enjoy the diversity and range of postings. I have again become a carpenter/cabinet maker after a few years of chasing my wallet. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings, they are extremely comforting during these times. I will share this last post with my family and post it in my shop.
Thanks again
Dan,
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts on mortality are comforting. In my little part of the world we've had two recent deaths-- a student and an educator. Along with seeing our parents through their last years and transitions, the 1862 advice is important to remember every day.
Thank you for your eloquent words.