Early Christmas

The names and places of this story have been changed to protect the innocent.

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I learned early on that woodworkers, in general, were a generous lot of folks. They are always willing to help in any way they can. Some other hobbies have people who protect their methods, materials, and such like it was a million dollar proprietary secret. In the land of wood elves though, we openly share anything we can to help others further along in their quest for knowledge and skill. We want others to know the secrets to success.

All of this though, it has become true in multiples since I started turning wood. If it were not for the help and assistance of others, I'd probably still be destroying pecan and oak logs and turning stick pens that looked like a new product line from Crayola called crap-ons.

I've had wood and blanks arrives from all corners of the country. I've had pen kits shipped to me from other states. I even had a new kind of sandpaper and  a gift card to buy supplies and kits supplied to me from another country.

Each and every time I receive items such as these, it chokes me up and I have a hard time putting into words just how much I appreciate it all. Thank you just doesn't seem to be enough. I have shipped out bowls and pens to different people, but that doesn't feel like it really conveys my gratitude either. It seems that my skills constantly improve and I wish I could send these people better items than what I've sent them before. Shipping gets in the way of that though.

Let me get to the point.

I received a package over the weekend.

I knew this was coming. It still didn't prepare me though for the emotions I went through upon it's arrival.

First I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. The packaging helped with this feeling as well. The box you see above was wrapped in a brown wrapper, wrapped up almost like a Christmas present would be, only without the shipping label.

It was an early Christmas present from Ms. Clause all the way from the great white north.

As I opened the box, there inside was the little things that bring so much joy to me, pen kits and wood. I was happier than a retard in a room full of bouncy balls.

I received all kinds of pen kits. Some of them I am familiar with. Some of them are things I've never done before and am extremely excited to do so. There was even a kit for s spinning top, which is something I had thought of ordering in the past. How did Santa know this though?

As if all that was not enough though, there was this little velvety bag inside. In the bag was this little doohickey.

It is a turned Christmas ornament. I'm not sure of the wood used, but it is absolutely stunning.

It is engraved with, "Dorothy 2013".

This is an ornament made by Ms. Clause especially for my grand daughter. It is Dorothy's first Christmas ornament.

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No, this package did not really come from Ms. Clause. Bear with me here. Remember, I changed the names for this.

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I do not have words to express the gratitude I feel for the wood, kits, and other assorted goodies that Ms. Clause sent. Things that are made for my family though, that just about brings a tear to my eye. It is kindness such as this that just goes above anything I know how to describe. I have been told I have a way with words, but I just cannot seem to put enough thank yous into words to express how I feel for something like this.

Thank you Ms. Clause, from the bottom of my heart.

The ornament will be joined on the tree by some ornaments another wood working buddy sent me some time back.

These came from Bubba Clause and his wife. They live in Alabama with their eight tiny coon dogs and flying Chevy.

This year, I will think of the kindness of these wonderful people, who I have only met online, every time I look at my Christmas tree.

Thank you all. The season has begun. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving coming up, then a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Now listen to that. I am usually the one who gripes about people jumping the gun on the holidays. I just can't seem to help it this year.

I've even gotten a head start this year on my outside decorating.