The greatest gift I got for Christmas. I share this story for two main reasons, one because of the gestures deeper meaning and because of the incalculable monetary value. The former requires a little backstory while the latter becomes obvious a little later. My father in law was not the easiest person to coexist with at first, but thats to be expected when you want to take his baby girl away. Over the years he has taught me many valuable lessons both openly discussed and on a deeper inferred level. He is a kind hearted caring man who shows no hesitation or shyness about expressing his love for his amazing wife and three beautiful daughters. Then I came in to steal one away, clearly you can see how Im the villain in this story (a movie he insisted I watch and sent home with me). My wonderful wife bought me a table saw for Christmas, it was the perfect gift, both parts the next big addition to my workshop and thoughtfulness in encouraging me to pursue a lifes passion in woodworking. This was sure to be the present of the year for me, a highly coveted title weve all assigned annually to that one gift that both excites the spirit and melts your heart. Then came Saturday. Full of Christmas it was with all of the Kinmans, great food, a great game and a loving family atmosphere. After that was over we headed back to my in-laws house to do another Christmas with the latest and greatest addition to the family my soon to be brother in law who got shafted on Christmas with work. After exchanging gifts, talking about upcoming plans, making jokes and trying to convince my mother and father in law to watch Zombieland it was time to go. We all stood up, gave hugs and handshakes with the promises of seeing each other soon. I came to my father in law and we exchanged the standard thank you for having us be careful, drive safe and let us know when you get home. As I turned to walk away my father in law said Charlie you know out in the barn there is some cedar that dad handcut, dried and milled himself, let me know when you get your shop setup and its yours. Maybe build something nice for your wife. Immediately I was floored, to understand what it means you have to understand Sam, not my wife but the patriarch of the Kinman family, sadly something I will never accomplish. To me he will never be anything more than an old man in a picture on the wall in my house that I can tell you countless amazing stories about. How he loved his family, lived an amazing life and could and would drop anything for a friend. To see the smiles on the faces of his relatives I meet and talk with and to feel the love in their voices when they speak his name truly does speak to the soul, he was a GREAT man. My father in law a man I respect greatly for his work ethic he obviously, according to stories, inherited from his father offers me the wood his father once walked the woods inspecting trees in search of, sweated over, bled and dreamed over, it hit me. Like a speeding freight train straight to the chest. He will probably never read this, because why cant you just pick up the phone and call and ask people about their lives and the words may go unspoken because of the villain role I portray in this movie, both of which are fine by me so long as its fine by him, because for Christmas this year I got the gift of a lifetime, to feel what it was like to have a father who loves me, and there is no greater feeling.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 13:42:31 +0000
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