Sawdust

Walnuts hung from the ceiling, supported by a large wire mesh.

Those walnuts are one of the more vivid memories of the garage that I walked through to get to my Grandpa Kraker's workshop. They stood guard, overlooking the entrance to a childhood wonderland.   I loved hearing the scream of the belt saw, the burnt smell of freshly cut cherry and maple wood hanging in the air.  The anticipation for what we could make in that workshop was unrivaled in my childhood. Grandpa's slow, particular mentoring helped me cut and build all sorts of great playthings:  swords, guns, cut outs of Disney characters, wooden satellite boxes for our war games in the woods, and most anything else our vast imaginations could dream up.  I cherish the hours I got to spend with him.  

The hours in the workshop produced much more than wooden toys.  I learned respect as he carefully showed me how to use the tools and gently corrected me when I made a mistake.  I learned how to say "no" to the good and "yes" to the best as he showed me how to choose quality pieces of wood.  I learned that patience improved the quality of the workmanship as we took the time to make each project something to be proud of.   I learned that a real man takes pride in his work.

My grandpa took pride in his work and I wanted to be just like him.  

As I've been exploring what I want to do next with my life and work, I'm brought back to those days with my Grandpa Kraker on the sawdust covered floor of his workshop.  A computer and a smart phone are my tools now, but the lessons learned remain as important as ever.  I've made a point of looking around and choosing places to apply that will, hopefully, be a step in the direction I want to go in life.  I've patiently reworked my resume, crafting it with the help of new mentors, and I'm proud of what it communicates.  With the help of a good book, the input of friends, and my online journal, I've cut through some of the fluff in my mind and gotten a better picture of who I am and how I'm built to serve.   

I will continue to work hard, take the time, and doing the work necessary to take the best next step possible.  Grandpa Kraker instilled in me character traits that have made me the man I am today.  His lessons still guide me to work hard so that I can be proud of what I've done and set myself up to have impact in the months and years to come.  

I'm grateful for the sawdust and the man who helped shape me.