Leaving a Legacy of Love and Woodworking: A Poppy's Gift

[rafairchild2]

This is today's blog post on my site. I wrote it starting at 4:30 AM as I reflected on a gift(s) I received Friday from my cousin... I got a little emotional.

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Recently, my cousin surprised me with a collection of carving knives and gouges, belonging to Uncle Ronny, my late mother's brother. My cousin, after sharing images of some of my woodworking creations with him during a recent visit with her dad, he expressed his deep joy in witnessing a family tradition endure. At 90 years old, struggling with declining eyesight and unable to continue his own carving, he graciously offered to pass on his cherished tools to me.

I will honor these tools, and continue the tradition.

Every family has its traditions, its unique way of passing down wisdom, and cherished memories through the generations. In our family, that tradition will be built from love and the hands of a grandfather known as "Poppy." 

Taking on the moniker of my grandfather... "Poppy"... I reflect on my life, and I realize that one of my most cherished legacies is the creation of art, that of woodworking, which I'm eagerly preparing to pass on to my beloved grandson.

Being a "Poppy" to my grandson is a role I hold close to my heart. It's a name that fills me with warmth and pride, as well as, warm memories of my own "Poppy", and the time we spent side-by-side, fishing, drawing, painting, carving, riding the NYC subway, and more. For it represents not only the bond between us but also the promise of continuing a tradition that has deep roots in our family. It is a name I strive to live up to as a grandfather.

The smell of sawdust, the hum of a scroll saw, and the feel of a well-worn chisel in my hands are now the constants in my life. Scroll sawing and carving is more than just a hobby; it's a passion that has been a part of me for fifty years when I first entered the wood shop in seventh grade. 

As the years pass, I spend more hours in my workshop, crafting toys, puzzles, clocks, and art pieces, each piece bearing the mark of my heart and soul, a labor of love that I hope will bring joy to my family (and others) for generations to come. But, in my heart, I always knew that the true value of these creations lay not just in their beauty, but in the connection they would foster between me and my grandson.

It brings me immeasurable joy to imagine the day when my grandson, with his wide eyes full of wonder, stands beside me in my workshop. I will teach him to respect the tools, honor the wood, to wield the tools of our hobby with care and precision. Together, we'll craft his first wooden toy, a simple yet magical creation that will be infused with love and guidance.

These moments are not just about teaching woodworking skills.

They are about forging a bond between us that will withstand the test of time. I want to share the stories of his great-great-grandparents, our triumphs, and our cherished memories as My Poppy and I worked side-by-side painting. 

For me... through these moments, I hope to pass down not just the craft of woodworking, but also the values of patience, perseverance, and creativity.

The true gift, though, will come when the day arrives for my grandson to inherit his "Poppy's" tools. As he takes possession of these well-worn, but meticulously maintained, instruments of creation, he'll also inherit the responsibility of continuing our family's creative traditions. These tools, which have seen the birth of countless treasures and the formation of lasting memories, will now become his companions on a journey of self-discovery and artistic expression.

In the passing of these tools, I'm passing down more than just instruments of woodwork. I'm passing down the love that has been poured into each piece I've crafted, the pride that comes with honing a skill over a lifetime, and the knowledge that, as "Poppy," I'll always be with him in spirit, guiding his hands as he shapes wood into something beautiful.

I hope as I watch my grandson embrace the art of scroll sawing and carving, I'm filled with hope for the future. I know that, through our shared love of wood and creation, we are connecting the past with the present, and building a bridge to the future. The legacy of "Poppy" lives on, not just in the toys and art we create but in the bond between us that transcends time and generations.

In the end, it's not the tangible items I leave behind that matter most, but the intangible lessons, values, and love that I pass on. As I look forward to the day my grandson takes the reins in the workshop, I'm filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be "Poppy" and for the legacy I have the privilege of leaving him.

Image: Two of my Uncle Ronny's unfinished carvings, and a carving knife he made. 2nd Image, I found a couple photos of his carvings and a "self-portrait" carving.

Edited October 22, 2023 by rafairchild2

[Scrappile]

Those are great carvings.  I always wanted to be a carver, but my hands just do not carve what my eyes see and my mind thinks they should do.  I have some nice carving knives. but in this case better tools did not help.

It seems my grand children do not have any interest in working with their hands other than clicking on a keyboard or cell phone.  Sad. One grandson really has some artistic talent for drawing, but it has faded as he has gotten into the teen years.  Maybe it will come back when he gets older.  If they play on phones or computer there is instant results.  Woodworking art work, etc. takes some patience.  

Edited October 22, 2023 by Scrappile

[OCtoolguy]

I'm envious of folks who have relatives that they are close with. I have 4 grandchildren, all adults, who share not a drop of my blood. I am not close with any of them and none of them have any interest in working with their hands. Or minds for that matter. They are content to just float through life. I was close to my Dad and one Grandfather. They both taught me many things and I inherited their spirits of creativity and mechanical ability. I fix stuff! I love making things and learning what makes things tick. I've tried to share my knowledge with my son. He doesn't live near me but we are close in our thoughts. He is a clone of me in many ways. I'm sad for many of the younger generations as they don't seem to see beyond their phones.

Edited October 22, 2023 by OCtoolguy

[rafairchild2]

I am blessed that my grandson lives 3 doors down from me.  I hope this can stay for a long time.  I remember when we lived close to my Grandparents and my Aunts and Uncles.  Alas, my father's work took us many hundreds of miles away from family in NYC.

[OCtoolguy]

1 minute ago, rafairchild2 said:

I am blessed that my grandson lives 3 doors down from me.  I hope this can stay for a long time.  I remember when we lived close to my Grandparents and my Aunts and Uncles.  Alas, my father's work took us many hundreds of miles away from family in NYC.

My youngest grandson is adopted out of Kyzakastan. He suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome and lives in his own world.

[Ron Johnson]

Very beautiful and touching write up Richard. You are very fortunate to have a grandson to pass a family tradition onto in an age where craftsmanship today seems to hold so little interest. I consider myself fortunate to have been born at a time when life had a real meaning and value… Amen 

[Norm Fengstad]

I enjoyed your essay "a poppy's gift"  I started carving about 30 years ago. 

[Dak0ta52]

Outstanding job, Richard.