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Whenever I get the opportunity to speak to a woodworking club or group for the first time, I introduce myself and tell a great story about when my Dad and I first traveled to a lumberyard to purchase material. We were both very green and miss-spoke a few key woodworking terms , I’m sure we made an impression on the salesman. When the terminology faux pas became clear to us, we shared a good laugh, as I’m sure the office staff at the lumberyard did. In fact, each time we would hear certain words, we would smile at each other and remember that trip. It was, and is, a memory I’ll cherish forever.
I wrap up that portion of my introduction with these words of encouragement, “Share woodworking with your sons or daughters or with your grandchildren because you’ll grow closer and you never know when you’ll create a memory that can make you smile.”
To that end, I received this message from Pat McCarty a few weeks back:
Mr. Huey,
I’d like to thank you for the Shaker clock design/article you (and Bob Casey) did last year. My father and I had been looking for a father/son project for years. About the time when your Shaker clock article came out (8/2007 issue of PWW), my father suffered a relapse of prostate cancer. His disease had spread and was inoperable – the prognosis was not good. In addition to that, my brother-in-law left for a year tour in Iraq for the Reserves.
My sister, father, and I decided to build three of the Shaker tall clocks as a family project. Building these clocks was inspirational to us, and will likely be the last project my father was able to complete. His cancer has now progressed to the point where he is confined to the bedroom with less than six months to live. My mother took pictures along the way, and I made books about our project. We intend to keep the books with each clock as they’re passed down in my family.
– Pat McCarty
Thank you for sharing, Pat. This is what woodworking is all about. I feel certain that Pat’s father is proud of everyone’s accomplishments, not only for building a family heirloom, but also for building a stronger relationship across generations.
With the New Year coming on quickly, I suggest we all take a moment to resolve to make woodworking memories with our family and friends.
(Below is a PDF copy of the book that Pat and his family produced. Click on the link to view the book.)
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What an inspiration to us all! Thank you for sharing!
Your story on the clock was great. My thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family at this time. I have been researching ShakerWoodworking for many years. As my friend John told you, the original clock is in Shaker Museum and library in Old Chatham.The pictures of your 3 clocks show the great care that went into making them and I am sure you will cherish them forever. I really am glad you got to do this family project together, and will always have that memory.
Bob Casey woodnutbob@hotmail.com
Great story and our thoughts are with you and your family. I recently was diagnosed with cancer myself this story hit home. The original clock is in Old Chatham, NY that inspired the article Bob Casey and Glen wrote. Bob and I are friends and travel all over together. We went and got the measurements and photos of the original clock in Old Chatham, NY. so Bob could build his reproduction. We can appreciate the effort and good memories generated in the process for your family. Wonderful job! Little did Bob and I know at the time that one of our "Road Trips" would indirectly bring so many good memories to a family such as yours.
John
I’m not a regular comment poster either, but this story moved me to respond…
What a fantastic story to share, especially during this Christmas season when our families our near in our thoughts! My mother passed away from cancer last year, and we treasure many memories – but to have such a large visual reminder of the time you spent with your father in his last year is precious. I’m so impressed by the hopeful way in which you responded to such depressing news as a terminal cancer diagnosis, and I hope many more people are inspired by this example to make similarly wonderful human responses to this de-humanizing disease. May you grieve with hope of the world to come.
Please extend my deepest sympathies to all of the family. I’m glad that you were able to share the time with your father. I cherish the times with my father and I try to do it with my children also. May the blessing of the Lord be with you always.
Please accept my familes deepest sympathies. Sitting here this morning, I read your book on the construction of the three clocks. Amazing, simply an amazing way to create a life-long memory. Spending time with Dad in one thing, but time with your father in the shop is totally grand! The clocks would also fit into the same Grand category!
The history that each clock now possesses will endure forever.
Victor
I never comment on articles but this article is one of the best and heartfiling I’ve ever read. I’m so glad that a family can share something together for the last days of ones life. The family will remember the clocks for many generations to come along with the documentation. Each time you cut into wood you are reveling a piece of history that has never been seen before, I’m glad that this family was able to revele and make history together. Thank for a great article and may God bless the family for the invitation into their life.
Tom
Pat,
Please accept our deepest sympathies. Losing a Father, Husband or Grandfather is difficult at best, but happening as it did during the holiday season is especially sorrowful. Please find comfort in the times you and your sister shared with your father, including those spent in the shop working on the clocks.
A picture might be worth a thousand words, but being able to look at the clock every day and relive those memories is priceless.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Glen
To all,
Posting of this article came at an ironic time. My father Tom passed away this morning, losing his long battle with Prostate cancer. Our grandfather clocks will stand as proud reminders of him and this project, and will hopefully be kept in our family for generations to come.
Thanks Glen for putting this up on your blog. My father was quite pleased when he heard you would be posting it.
– Pat McCarty