Thursday, January 3, 2019
My Thoughts on a Gentleman and a Scholar
My eyes sting with unshed tears. I know Ernie has found safe harbor, but he is missed.
I'm just a friend giving thanks for a gentle man, and for his ability to step up and step in and share his knowledge.
I met Ernie in the woodshop. He noticed immediatley that I was a "newbie". I had skills, having been a potter and jeweler but nontheless he took me under his wing with caring and sharing, making sure I learned his lessons well regarding wood.
I was working on an African Birthing Chair and hit a glitch because I was timid in my chisel work. He came over and asked if I wanted help. I threw up my hands and said "sure!"
He showed me how to anchor the wood to get the best reponse and he picked up the hammer and chisel as my heart sank. "It will work better this way," he said. He wailed away at the seat component and in minutes the dream in my head started to spring forth from the wood.
Without Ernie, I'd still be struggling with the sculpting necessary to make the chair, and that was 8 years ago!
We went to lunch from time to time and I enjoyed his worldliness. His scholarship was in observing humanity and he was able to assess people quickly. So we lunched and talked politics, and art.
When his circumstances left him with less energy, his caring daughter came to be by his side. It was clear that he had been an influence in Joanne's life. So all three of us would hang out together.
The stinging of tears has subsided as I bid this gentle man and scholar a fond farewell.
Ernie, I miss you.
Virus-free. www.avast.com
