Harder still knocking it free of concrete. Her grandad is they type what could eyeball level and plumb. I go down and stand looking at a building he built years ago out of wood. He eyeballed fitting it together to take into account a drop in the land, settling, wind.
The lumber used is itself bound up tight on itself. Yes he nailed. He didn't need to in some of it. It's amazing looking at all the mitered cuts, angles and how he managed the foresight of keeping it solid all these years. Her dad has told me that eventually he wants to take it down. He would rather I go into it, strip it down respectfully.
Let me tell you, there's all kinds of lessons to be learned doing that, too. He doesn't want the other son in law just wrecking it. He knows me and his dad shared a connection. He wants me to "take the master class" so to speak. Damn it, getting sawdust in my eyes.
Was me that on the morning of his death let me come out for the M.E. safely. Had the clocks stopped and all reflective surfaces covered. Then, I asked the ladies to get busy fixing up a whopping meal. My wife's Dad knew I'd be sure his dad was sent off right. He called down to us that morning and told my wife to put me on. He told me. "Be down in a few."
Went into his bedroom, leaned in and give him a gentle kiss on his forehead. Her dad had told me to go in, take my time. He knew just on sight, same as i knew. So, when the meal was made everybody ate. Everybody had some coffee. Her dad found me outside as people his dad knew had started "stopping by". They knew without needing called.
I invited folks in because the squad had already come for transport. Some brought more food, others didn't but came in and ate. They come to me first, shook hands then went to her dad. None bothered with her brother in law. They had a sense of who was who. I wasn't being all lording in any way. People just respected because me and her grandad did work good together.
Got a lot of big boots to fill, only hope I measure even half of 'em. Been told I'm supposed to be head of three households. Funny though how I stay back in the shadows, let life do as it does. Not much for talking over what needs done, my talk is "next?" There's always next as well. Reckon they broke the mold with our grandfathers kind.
...Beautiful, Thank you !
