6th December 2019
I went up to the family home with Matt to start the arduous task of sifting through Dave’s treasures.
I went into the basement to sort the vast collection of tools and machinery that had become my second home.
I was hard for me, and very emotional, the first time it hit me. I had tried to keep spirits high during this low period, but the realisation that he wouldn’t be walking down the stairs to see what I was doing, was very difficult for me.
I knew he was passionate about his workshop and I felt I was violating his sacred space by opening drawers packed with his treasures. He had a collection of hand planes of different sizes, numerous screwdrivers, hammers of every weight, chisels, pliers and things for getting Boy Scouts out of horses hooves.
There were so many things I would want to keep, and move down to my workshop, but the thought of getting some of the items up the stairs will require some strong arms.
Matt was upstairs sorting through even more collections.
There were three cardboard boxes full of small oil cans, and enough hunting hardware to arm a small army.
These were just some of the treasures of a man called Dave. Reminders of his military service, notes and drawings from his children, and pictures from his grand children, he kept everything. This was his world that we were uncovering, smiling as we found another drawer full of hammers.
Another Lifetime to go 